Kearney trial adjourned over jury illness

The trial of Brian Kearney has been adjourned until this afternoon so that enquiries can be made about a jury member who has …

The trial of Brian Kearney has been adjourned until this afternoon so that enquiries can be made about a jury member who has been taken to hospital.

Mr Kearney (50) with an address at Carnroe, Knocknashee, Goatstown, Dublin has pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife, Siobhán Kearney (38) on February 28th, 2006.

At the Central Criminal Court, Mr Justice Barry White told the remaining 11 jury members that enquiries are being made to a maternity hospital as to whether the absent jury member "can continue or wishes to continue".

He said that legislation allows for the trial to proceed with less than 12 and that the jury can be as few as ten but that he is anxious to have a full jury of 12 if possible.

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However, Mr Justice White said he is prepared to go on with a jury of 11 as prosecuting counsel Denis Vaughan Buckley and defending counsel Patrick Gageby SC are willing to do so.