Trial collapse - Case has frightening implications

In stark contrast to the Brian Murphy verdict, the family of Denis Franklin are distraught over the collapse of the prosecution case in the trial of three men accused of seriously assaulting the Limerick student.

Following the earlier collapse of this case, they had reason to hope that a fresh hearing would secure justice in full measure for their son.

So savage was the assault in a Cork laneway that two years later he lies in a vegetative state in hospital.