CITY MURDER TRIAL ADJOURNED DUE TO LACK OF JURORS

Date Published: 17-Jan-2013

The trial of a 31-year-old Connemara woman charged with the murder of her former boyfriend has been adjourned because a jury of 12 people could not be sworn in due to insufficient numbers.

It is the first time a trial could not proceed in Galway due to the lack of potential jurors.

Maura Thornton, a native of Inverin, denies the murder of 59 year old Kevin Joyce at 183, Upper Salthill on July 31, 2011.

Mr Justice Barry White discharged that jury on Wednesday and requested members of the jury panel to attend for jury service this morning

Only 21 jurors out of a jury panel of 350 people showed up at the short notice this morning.

Eleven of that number were sworn in after five jurors told the judge they were ineligible to serve because they either knew the accused or lived in the Inverin/Spiddal area

Solicitor, Adrian MacLynn objected on behalf of the defence team to five women from the remaining jury panel being sworn in for other legal reasons.

Mr Justice White asked the eleven to return on Monday when a twelfth juror would be selected to join them.