The jury has been discharged ahead of the opening of the trial of a man charged with murder in Co Mayo last year.
Fintan McKenna (24) of Woodlands, Balla, Castlebar has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Francis ’Frankie’ Heneghan (24) in Kiltimagh on August 12th, 2009.
Mr Heneghan, a father-of-two who was originally from Ballyheane outside Castlebar, was stabbed to death following an altercation in a pub near Main Street, Kiltimagh.
The trial which was expected to last over a week was due to begin in the Central Criminal Court today.
However, prosecuting counsel Pauline Whalley said today she could not guarantee the trial would conclude by Friday of next week.
Mr Justice George Birmingham said he had no choice in those circumstances but to discharge the jury of nine men and three women.
Mr Justice Birmingham apologised to the jury for the inconvenience and as a way of expressing his appreciation exempted them from further service for five years.
A new jury will be sworn in next Monday to try the case.