Kearney trial adjourned

The trial of Brian Kearney, accused of murdering his wife, has been adjourned until tomorrow morning in order for an ill jury member, who was absent today, to recover, the Central Criminal Court has heard.

Brian Kearney (aged 50), with an address at Carnroe, Knocknashee, Goatstown, Dublin has pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife, Siobhan Kearney (aged 38), on February 28, 2006 – his 49th birthday.

Mr Justice Barry White told the eleven jury members who were present in court today that the ill jury member would be available tomorrow morning, having been given the all-clear. He said that the absent juror was advised to rest for the afternoon and that she was “anxious to continue as a juror”.

Earlier, Mr Justice White told the court that enquiries were being made to a maternity hospital as to whether the absent member could continue to sit on the jury.

He said that legislation allows for a trial to proceed with less than twelve and that the jury can be as few as ten but that he was “anxious to have a full jury of twelve if at all possible”.