Judge apologises as jury discharged ahead of murder trial

The jury has been discharged ahead of the opening of the trial of a 24-year-old man charged with murdering a father of two in Mayo last year.

McKenna (aged 24) of Woodlands, Balla, Castlebar has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Francis ’Frankie’ Henegan (aged 24) in Kiltimagh on August 12, 2009.

Mr Henegan originally from Ballyheane outside Castlebar was stabbed to death following an altercation in a pub near Main Street, Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo

The trial which was expected to last more than a week was due to begin in the Central Criminal Court today.

However, Ms Pauline Whalley SC, prosecuting, could not guarantee the trial would conclude on Friday of next week.

Mr Justice George Birmingham said he had no choice in those circumstances but to discharge the jury of nine men and three women.

Justice Birmingham apologised to the jury for the inconvenience and as a way of expressing his appreciation exempted them from further service for five years.

A new jury will be sworn in on Monday morning to try the case.