Murder trial jury sent to hotel overnight

The jury in the trial of a man accused of stabbing the deceased after a fight at a phone box will resume their deliberations tomorrow at the Central Criminal Court after being sent to a hotel tonight.

After deliberating for just over two-and-a-half hours, the jury of nine men and three women were unable to reach a verdict in the trial of Mr Gerard or Gerald Dunne (aged 29) of Rafters Avenue, Drimnagh, Dublin.

The accused has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Liam Thompson (aged 20) of Woodlawn Park Grove, Firhouse, Tallaght on or about January 26, 1999 at Dolphin's Road, Dublin.

It is alleged that a row between the accused and four men over the use of a public telephone kiosk escalated into a fight after which Mr Thompson was fatally stabbed with a steak knife.