No verdict in careless driving trial

The jury in the trial of a motorist accused of careless driving causing the death of an elderly Kilkenny man near Mitchelstown two years ago failed to reach a verdict yesterday after four hours of deliberation.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin asked the jury at lunchtime yesterday if additional time for deliberation would be of any use for them. The jury foreperson replied that further time would not help.

Acknowledging this deadlock the judge instructed them to write “disagree” on the issue paper. The judge added: “Don’t worry about it, you did your best.”