No decision yet in Mulvihill case

The jury in the trial of a retired garda sergeant charged with stealing vehicles from an official compound has been sent to a hotel overnight after failing to return verdicts at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

John (aka Ben) Mulvihill (aged 54) of Cherryvalley, Rathmoylan, Co Meath has pleaded not guilty to stealing a Mitsubishi Colt, valued €2,500, between May 12 and June 30, 2002 and a Ford Transit van, valued €11,500, between December 2, 2002 and February 28, 2003.

Mr Mulvihill, who retired in March 2003, also denies forging a document purporting to be a replacement document and forging a document purporting to be a sworn declaration on a date unknown between May 12 and June 30, 2002.

Judge Frank O’Donnell sent the jury away on day-six of the trial after it had been deliberating for over two hours. The six men and six women will resume deliberating tomorrow.