Limerick murder trial adjourned

The murder trial of a 20-year-old Limerick man has been adjourned until the new year due to problems with a video link from the UK.

Johnathan Fitzgerald of South Claughan Road, Garryowen was due to face trial at the Central Criminal Court today, charged with murdering another man in the city four years ago.

He has pleaded not guilty to murdering Noel Crawford at O'Malley Park on December 18, 2006. The 40-year-old was shot dead.

A jury of five women and seven men was sworn in on Monday to hear the trial, which was due to start yesterday and expected to last up to three weeks.

However, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy discharged the jury yesterday on hearing that a video link from the UK would not be ready in time for the trial to conclude before Christmas.