Jury fails to reach verdict in murder trial

A High Court judge tonight sent a murder trial jury to a hotel after they failed to reach a verdict in the trial of a 28 year-old Limerick man.

After almost four hours of deliberations the jury had not reached a verdict in the trial of Mr Robert McNamara at the Central Criminal Court.

Mr McNamara of Clarina Park, Ballinacurra, Westin, Limerick has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Brendan O'Connell, aged 22, on 16 December 1999 at the People's Park, Limerick.

The victim, of Hillview Grove, Doon, Co Limerick died from a single stab wound to the heart.

Mr Justice Henry Abbott sent the four women and seven men of the jury panel to a hotel overnight. They will return at 10.30am in the morning to continue their deliberations.