Trial time reduced for man accused of cash-in-transit plot

The trial of a Dublin man accused of plotting with several others to steal €1m from a cash-in-transit van is to take a significantly shorter time than originally thought.

Joseph Warren (aged 30) of Belclare Crescent, Ballymun, has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to conspiring to steal cash from Chubb Ireland at Tesco supermarket on the Shackleton Road in Celbridge on Nov 2, 2007.

The trial was originally due to last five weeks and involve 239 witnesses. After discussions between prosecution and defence teams today this was reduced to two weeks and 20 witnesses.

Judge Tony Hunt told the jury that the nature of the defence has changed and “become very much more focused".

The trial will continue on Thursday with a jury of 11 after one juror was discharged for personal reasons.