Jury discharged ahead of murder trial

The jury has been discharged ahead of the opening of the trial of a 28-year-old Dublin man charged with a murder in the capital eight years ago.

Brian Rattigan of Cooley Road, Drimnagh is accused of murdering Declan Gavin (aged 21) of Mourne Road, Drimnagh.

He has pleaded not guilty to the offence on August 25, 2001 at Crumlin Road, Crumlin in Dublin.

The trial had been due to begin at the Central Criminal Court today, having already been adjourned on Wednesday.

However, a member of the jury must attend a hospital appointment on Monday and might then need surgery, which would make her unavailable for some or all of the expected six-week duration of the trial.

Mr Justice Barry told the jury that the defendant also has a hospital appointment on Tuesday, for which he has been waiting three years.

A new jury will be sworn in on Monday morning to try the case, which will involve 180 witnesses.