A JURY has failed to reach a verdict in the trial of a man accused of biting off a bar owner's earlobe two years ago in what he claimed was an act of self-defence.
Jonathan Martin (23) had admitted through his counsel that he assaulted Jim Clarke outside the Phibsborough House pub on June 6th, 2006, intentionally harming him, but that he did so in self-defence.
Mr Farrell told the jury at the start of Mr Martin's three-day trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assault causing harm to Mr Clarke that the only issue it had to decide was his client's claim of self-defence.
Judge Frank O'Donnell discharged the jury of six men and six women after it announced following over three hours deliberation that it was unable to reach either a unanimous or a majority verdict.
Judge O'Donnell adjourned the case for mention later.