The trial in Dublin of two Finglas men charged with the armed robbery of a Co Louth bank has ended suddenly in its second day with the discharge of the jury.
Judge Kieran O'Connor discharged the jury after a male juror failed to appear and efforts by gardai to contact him were unsuccessful. Judge O'Connor also directed that the juror should appear before him to explain his absence. If he fails to appear, a bench warrant will be issued for his arrest.
Mr John Martin (29) and Mr Paul Martin (30), of Kippure Park, Finglas, have pleaded not guilty to robbing £132,000 in cash from Mr William B. O'Reilly at the Bank of Ireland in Ardee on November 17th, 1997.
A new date is to be set for the trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.