All assault charges in the Denis Franklin trial in Cork came to nothing today when a judge ruled that statements by two accused were inadmissible because gardaí offered inducements and in the case of the third defendant there was simply no evidence.

A jury was sworn in today to hear the case against three Corkmen accused of seriously injuring Limerick student Denis Franklin in Cork city two years ago, where the injured party is now totally paralysed.

A MAN pleaded guilty yesterday to a charge of assault causing serious harm to young Limerick man Denis Franklin, who has been left in what was described a permanent vegetative state.

Four men were arrested and charged today with assault causing serious harm to a Cork Institute of Technology student who has been on a life support machine since February last year.