THE jury in the trial of a man charged with the murder and attempted rape of a schoolgirl was discharged at the Central Criminal Court last night after telling the judge it could not reach a verdict.
Mr Justice Flood discharged the six men and six women after they told him they did not feel they could reach a verdict following more than three hours deliberation.
The judge listed the case for mention on March 13th when a new trial date may be fixed. He remanded the accused man in custody to the Central Mental Hospital in Dublin.
The accused, whom the judge ruled should not be identified, had denied the murder and attempted rape of the 13 year old girl on April 14th last year.
State Pathologist, Dr John Harbison, told the four day trial the girl died from very severe head injuries. Her skull was fragmented. He said the injuries were consistent with stones having been dropped on her head.
Dr Harbison said it was evident that there was still circulation going to her brain after the attempted strangulation, but she may have been unconscious when hit with the stones. He said there was also evidence of attempted sexual assault.
Three psychiatrists who gave evidence in the case all agreed the accused man suffered from schizophrenia. Two contended the man's illness was a major factor in the alleged offences, while one disagreed, contending he was probably not insane at the time.