No verdict yet in tiger-kidnapping trial

The jury in the trial of five men accused of a €2.28m "tiger kidnapping" robbery have concluded their first day's deliberations without reaching a verdict.

Judge Tony Hunt sent them away for the night after almost three hours of deliberations. It was day 57 of the 15-week trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sitting in Blanchardstown.

They will resume tomorrow. Before sending the jury out to consider a verdict Judge Hunt reminded them they were under no time constraints. The trial is sitting with 11 jurors after one was excused because of a sick relative.

Mark Farrelly (aged 37) of Moatview Court, Priorswood; David Byrne (36) of Old Brazeel Way, Knocksedan, Swords; Niall Byrne (aged 27), of Aughavanagh Road, Crumlin; Christopher Corcoran (aged 61), of Bayside Boulevard North, Sutton; and Jason Kavanagh (aged 34), of Parslickstown Court, Ladyswell all deny two charges.

They have pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbing €2.28m from Mr Paul Richardson and Securicor and to falsely imprisoning the Richardson family on March 13 and 14, 2005.