Jury sworn in for trial of two accused of murdering Macroom man Michael Foley

The case is expected to take around two weeks in the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork

Sixty-one-year-old Michael Foley was found dead at his home in Macroom in February 2024.

A man and woman facing trial by judge and jury for the murder of 61-year-old Michael Foley at his home in Annville, Barrett’s Place, Macroom, on February 1, 2024, both denied the murder charge on Thursday.

Both of the accused made the same reply to the murder charge when they were arraigned at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork.

Each of them replied: “Not guilty of murder but guilty of assisting an offender under Section 7 Subsection 2 of the Criminal Law Act 1997.” 

32-year-old Daniel Hourigan, who is originally from Farranree in Cork City, and 32-year-old Linda O'Flynn, who is originally from the Hollyhill area of Cork City, were arraigned today.

A jury of seven men and five women was sworn in to hear the case which is expected to open on Friday. So far, no background allegations have been outlined.

Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford told the jury panel in advance of the swearing in of the jury: “This is a case that is likely to take in excess of two weeks. In reality, you need to be available until November 14. 

"It is quite likely it will not last as long as that but to be safe you will need to be available until then.” 

A list of the names of over 90 witnesses — many of them members of An Garda Síochána — was read to the jury panel so that they could satisfy themselves that they did not know any of the parties to the case before being sworn in to hear evidence.

The judge said to the jury: “It is not an easy job but it is a civic duty. From the point of view of the administration of justice it is important that you are committed.”