A man was released yesterday by a trial judge who directed that he be found not guilty of attempted murder. When his trial opened at Dublin's Central Criminal Court last week, Mr John Reilly (28), of Lower Wellington Street, Dublin, pleaded not guilty to six counts relating to the attempted murder of Mr John Alford (34), of Ballyfermot Parade, at Ballyfermot Drive on December 11th, 1996.
Mr Alford escaped injury when he was shot at by a gunman wearing a balaclava after the car he was driving was repeatedly rammed by another.
His girlfriend, Ms Violet Power Blackburn, who was also in the car with her child, was injured.
The case opened last Tuesday with Mr Gregory Murphy SC, prosecuting, detailing statements allegedly made by Mr Reilly to gardai while he was in custody on January 13th and 14th, 1997. The defence led by Mr Patrick Gageby SC, contested those statements.
After just a day's evidence from the prosecution, the case went into legal argument in the absence of the jury.
Yesterday Mr Justice Peter Kelly gave his judgment on the legal submissions.
He discharged the jury and directed that a "not guilty" verdict be entered on all six counts relating to the offence.
Mr Reilly, who had been in custody, was discharged and walked from the court.
Another man is facing charges in connection with the same shooting incident.