THE trial of two fishery board officers 0fl corruption charges has been adjourned by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to July 28th. The trial of Mr Edward Haley, of Polerone, Mooncoin, Co Kilkenny, and Mr Edward Casey, of Lisadell, Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary, had been due to start yesterday but Judge Cyril Kelly was told the main prosecution witness could not be present.
Both men have pleaded not guilty to corruptly accepting money from Mr James Lenane as an inducement to show favour or not to show disfavour to Lencraft Boats Ltd, in Southern Regional Fishery Board business. The offences are alleged to have taken place between November 15th and December 15th, 1991, and December 17th and 31st, 1993.
Mr Sean Ryan SC, defending, said in the interests of fairness the case should go on. State counsel, Mr Paul O'Higgins SC, said the prosecution only became aware 15 minutes before the court sat that there was a problem. He handed a letter and medical certificate to Judge Kelly.