The start of the murder trial of three men in Dublin has been adjourned until Thursday to allow one of the accused to seek counsel to represent him.
The three men pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned in the Central Criminal Court today.
Mr Andrew Gordon Roche (36), with an address in Drumlease, Dromohair, Co. Leitrim, Mr Keith Cooper (25), with an address at Gortimar, Manorhamilton, and Mr Martin Francis Barber (33) of Boihy, Manorhamilton, all pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Elliott Colin Double, otherwise known as Elliott Robertson, at Boihy, Co Leitrim on October 6th, 1998.
The trial was expected to start today, but when the jury was sworn in this morning, Mr Justice Carney noted that Mr Barber was representing himself.
This afternoon, the trial judge Mr Justice Diarmuid O'Donovan agreed to adjourn until Thursday to enable Mr Barber to get legal representation.
Mr Justice O'Donovan apologised to the jury for the inconvenience, telling them: "These things are sent to try us."
However, he said it was in the best interests of the accused "and in all our best interests" that Mr Barber was properly represented by counsel.