A murder trial jury was discharged Monday after saying they could not agree on a verdict.
Keith Brady (30), of Cartron Estate, Sligo, had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Martin ‘Matt’ Kivlehan (59) at New Apartments, Holborn Street, Sligo between August 2nd and 3rd, 2015.
His plea was not accepted and he underwent a two-week trial at the Central Criminal Court. During the trial the jury heard that Mr Kivlehan died from two stab wounds to the neck.
Mr Brady accepted that he stabbed the deceased and caused his death and the six women and five men were asked to decide if that amounted to murder or manslaughter.
Shortly before 3pm on Monday the jury foreman handed a note to Mr Justice Paul McDermott to say they would not be able to reach a unanimous verdict.
The judge told them they could return a verdict if 10 of them agreed. Less than one hour later they returned and the foreman told the registrar that they had not reached a majority verdict and had written “disagreement” on the issue paper.
Mr Justice McDermott thanked them for their service and exempted them from further jury service for 20 years.
He remanded Mr Brady until December 4th “on the off-chance that there is an opportunity to deal with the matter.”