Murder trial continues with legal argument

There was a day of legal argument at the trial of a Dublin man accused of murder at the Central Criminal Court today.

Brian Rattigan (aged 28), Cooley Road, Drimnagh, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Declan Gavin (aged 21), Mourne Road, Drimnagh, at Crumlin Road, Crumlin on August 25, 2001.

It is the prosecution case that Mr Rattigan got out of a Nissan Micra that had pulled up outside the Abrakebabra fast-food outlet at Crumlin shopping centre before he 'made for Declan Gavin' with a knife.

Mr Justice George Birmingham apologised to the jury for the delay and inconvenience.

He said: "I am very conscious that you have been seriously discommoded in serving as jurors in what in any event is going to be a lenghty trial. I will do my best to avoid any further inconvenience to you."

The trial is expected to resume on Monday before Mr Justice George Birmingham and a jury of eight men and four women.