Jury discharged from dealing with accused, says judge

THE jury in the trial relating to the death of two teenagers on the road in Knocknaheeny last May was discharged from dealing any further with one of the accused yesterday.

John Heaphy, aged 24, of 7 Oak Drive, Classis Lake, Ballincollig, County Cork, has been on trial since the jury was sworn in on November 23 on the single count of threatening to damage property at 23 Spriggs Road.

Judge Patrick J Moran told the jury yesterday: “The position now, as a result of legal discussion over the past two days, is that I have decided to discharge you from dealing with the count of threatening to cause criminal damage, the count related to John Heaphy.”