No judge available to hear murder case

The jury in the trial of a Limerick man accused of attempting to murder a 21-year-old man last year has been instructed to return to the Central Criminal Court on Friday as there was no judge available to hear the case today.

The trial of 29-year-old Shane Mason had been due to get underway before a jury of nine women and three men this morning.

Mason, of Sean Heuston Place, Limerick City, has pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Daniel Philips at St John's Square in the city, on May 24, 2010.

He has also denied two other charges of recklessly causing serious harm to Mr Philips on the same date, and possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life in relation to the same incident.

Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan told the jury there was "no judge available to take up the matter" and asked them to return again on Friday morning when "if there is any possibility of the case going ahead, it will go ahead."

The trial is expected to take more than two weeks.