Start of murder trial delayed

THE start of a trial of a youth charged with the murder of a teenager in Claremorris was put back until tomorrow (Wednesday) this afternoon after one of the jury members became ill.

The trial of the accused was due to start at the Central Criminal Court, sitting in Castlebar, today but won't now get underway until 11 a.m. tomorrow.

A jury of 12 was empanelled for the trial earlier today but one of the jurors became ill before the trial proper was due to start at 2.15.

Judge Paul Butler told the 11 remaining jury members that efforts will be made between now and tomorrow to find a replacement jury person but if these efforts don't succeed the case may have to be heard by 11 jurors.

The accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is pleading not guilty to the murder of 17-year-old Dovydas Jenkas at Claremount Manor, Claremorris, in December 2015.