Trial of new age travellers adjourned

The start of the trial of three new age travellers has been adjourned to Thursday while one of the accused seeks counsel to represent him.

The three men pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned in the Central Criminal Court today.

Andrew Gordon Roche, aged 36, with an address in Drumlease, Dromohair, Co. Leitrim, Keith Cooper, aged 25, with an address at Gortimar, Manorhamilton, and Martin Francis Barber, aged 33, of Boihy, Manorhamilton all pleaded not guilty to the murder of Elliott Colin Double, otherwise known as Elliott Robertson at, Boihy, Co Leitrim on October 6 1998.

The trial was expected to start today but when the jury was sworn in, Mr Justice Carney noted that Martin Francis Barber was representing himself.

This afternoon, the trial judge Mr Justice Diarmuid O'Donovan agreed to adjourn the trial until Thursday to enable Mr Barber to get legal representation.

Mr Justice O'Donovan said it was in the best interests of the accused "and in all our best interests" that he was represented by counsel.

Apologising to the jury for the inconvenience, he told them, "These things are sent to try us."