The jury in the trial of a Tipperary sports coach charged with the sexual assault of fourgirls has been discharged due to media reports that named and photographed him.
Judge Dominic Lynch said that in view of certain newspaper reports he had no option but to discharge the jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
When the trial resumed for the second day'shearing this morning,defence counsel Mr Peter Charletontold the court that certain newspapers had published articles containing his client's name and address, as well as his photograph.
Mr Charleton said his client's identity should not have been revealed in this manner and that reporting restrictions applied.
Prosecuting counsel Mr Kenneth Mills SCrejected defence counsel's contention. He toldJudge Lynch the name of a person charged with sexual assault could be published and that identities were to be withheld only in certain rape cases specified in the 1981 Rape Act.
Mr Charleton said that before the jury was swornin for this case, Judge Patrick McCartan had madean order imposing reporting restrictions.
Judge Lynch ruled that the possibility of the accused receiving a fair trial had been compromised by the articles and dismissed the jury.