Teen murder trial collapses

The trial of three young men accused of murdering a 19 year-old Dublin man collapsed today at the Central Criminal Court.

Mr Justice Paul Butler discharged the jury in the trial of Mr Brian Willoughby, (aged 23), Orwell Park, Templeogue and two other teenagers who cannot be named for legal reasons.

The three had denied the murder of Mr Brian Mulvaney, Woodlawn Park Ave, Firhouse.

The judge said he "very much regretted" the decision to discharge the jury, but that any further delays to the trial would make it untenable for them to consider the evidence in its entirety.

The trial was already adjourned for more than a week as counsel sought results of toxicology tests. The court heard today that on foot of the results of those tests, the defence are now seeking a further technical report.

Mr Justice Butler ruled that the defence are entitled to seek such a report, and decided to discharge the jury rather than delay the trial for a further period.

The judge informed the jury that the three co-accused would not be acquitted as the State will be seeking a retrial.

"The deceased is a victim, it is beyond doubt," Mr Justice Butler said. "He was viciously assaulted ... and was entirely blameless," he said.

The deceased suffered severe head injuries after being assaulted following a party in Templeogue in the early hours of March 11, 2000.

He was found naked from the waist up lying on the roadside at the Watercourse, Templeogue. He died shortly afterwards at Tallaght Hospital when attempts to revive him failed.

Mr Willoughby was remanded in custody and the two other youths were remanded on bail.

Members of the Mulvaney family were in court and appeared to be visibly upset after the jury was discharged.