Jury discharged after murder accused changes legal team

The jury in the case of a Cavan man accused of shooting a man in the head as he slept next to his girlfriend, has been discharged at the Central Criminal Court today.

The six men and six women of the jury heard that the accused, Trevor McCabe of Mountpleasant, Ballyconnell, had applied for a change of solicitor on Monday last.

His new legal team had informed the court that they had not had sufficient time to view all the material in the case, and Mr Justice Barry White agreed to grant an adjournment.

“The new solicitor and counsel are not in a position to proceed and I don't feel I can force their hand in the circumstances” he informed the jury.

“The accused man himself must bear the consequences of having sought an adjournment” he said, indicating that Mr McCabe will remain in custody until a new date is fixed for his trial.

Mr Justice White said it was a most unsatisfactory position, both for the court and jury and apologised before discharging them.

The 35-year-old accused has pleaded not guilty to murdering Darren McGrath at his Belturbet home in Cavan in May 2008.

Mr McGrath, 33, died after he was shot twice in the head.

His girlfriend escaped injury.

A new date for the trial is expected to be fixed on Monday next.