A trial for attempted murder was aborted and the jury was discharged yesterday after two days of evidence at the Central Criminal Court.
Mr John Reilly (27) of Lower Wellington Street, Dublin, had pleaded not guilty to attempting to murder Mr John Alford, the occupant of a green Volkswagen Polo car, on December 11th, 1996 at Ballyfermot Drive, Dublin.
Mr Reilly also pleaded not guilty to unlawfully and maliciously intending to do grievous bodily harm to a second occupant of the car, the girlfriend of the injured man, Ms Violet Blackburn Power.
The defendant denied further charges of possession of a firearm and .45 calibre ammunition with the intent to endanger life.
Mr Justice O'Donovan told the jury an application had been made by defence counsel that left him "no option but to abort" the trial "for reasons it is not necessary for me to tell you about".
The defendant was remanded in custody pending a retrial, due for listing on October 29th, 1998.