Murder trial postponed following witness no-show

The jury in the trial of a Lithuanian man who denies the murder of a fellow Lithuanian at a Dublin flat has been adjourned following a defence application at the Central Criminal Court.

Donatas Sutkus (aged 23), of no fixed abode, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Andrius Zakarauskas (aged 27), who was stabbed to death at his flat in St Joseph’s Villas, Richmond Cottages, near the North Circular Road.

Mr Justice Barry White told the jury of six women and six men that the accused could not obtain a fair trial in the circumstances as an eyewitness, who the defence wanted to be present, had not travelled from Lithuania.

He said the witness had been provided with an airline ticket by the State and it was not clear why he had not travelled

He thanked the jury for its attendance.

The case has been listed for mention next week and a provisional trial date of April 24, 2006, has been set aside.