Jury given time out to watch match

A second jury in the Central Criminal Court were given time out for the match today just as a youth accused of murder and rape was about to give evidence.

Mr Justice Paul Butler followed the action of his colleague Mr Justice Carney by sending the jury off for the day. In the jury box, two of the jurors were wearing green jerseys.

Yesterday the judge had indicated his intent to give the jury a two-hour break to watch the match but to resume evidence later this afternoon.

But today, a half-an-hour before kick-off, Mr Justice Butler told the jury: "The accused has pleaded not guilty and is charged with the two most serious offences known to this state. As the defence is about to start it would be desirable that everybody is concentrating fully."

He said he and counsel had discussed the matter and all agreed that it would be better to put the trial off until tomorrow.

The 18-year-old accused on trial cannot be named for legal reasons. He denies the rape and murder of Ms Rachel Kiely (22) at the Regional Park, Ballincollig, Co Cork on October 26, 2000.

The jury has heard that DNA samples taken from him matched DNA recovered from her person. She was raped and strangled as she brought two family dogs for a walk on the evening of October 26 2000.