A Central Criminal Court judge will decide on Monday if the Joe Delaney murder trial will continue with eleven jurors. There were dramatic scenes in the courtroom today with jurors expressing concern about intimidation and their future safety.
It culminated in a Garda superintendent being ordered to the court by Mr. Justice John Quirke, to explain why security directions he had made over four hours earlier for the jury's protection had not been put in place. The Gardaí have now agreed to provide a level of security that meets the concerns of the jurors.
The jury have also been provided with a full list of witnesses due to give evidence in the trial. Joe Delaney formerly of Naas CO. Kildare denies the murder of Mark Dwyer in December 1996.
Joe Delaney is alleged to have abducted twenty-three-year-old Mark Dwyer from his Dublin flat and viciously beating him with a nail bar before he was shot at close range in the head. It is claimed that he killed in revenge for the misappropriation of up to 40,000 esctasy tablets.
When the trial resumed this morning, the spotlight focussed on the jury who expressed concerns about their future safety once the trial is over. The jury foreman said there was unease among jurors about certain people in the courtroom yesterday.
The jury members are anxious to continue doing their duty, but the foreman said that they are people with families. Whatever the verdict, they have to go back to their lives in the Greater Dublin area and that is the security issue they were talking about, he explained.
Mr. Justice Quirke assured the jury that their interests would be protected. For the remainder of the trial they will be escorted to and from court by members of the Gardaí in such a manner, and by a route, as will ensure they do not come in contact with anyone in the environs of the Court. He also told them that, if they feel subjected to any kind of influence, they should tell him, their escorting officers or the Gardaí.
Judge Quirke said that he understood their concerns about their future lives and advised them that, once they deliver a verdict, that will conclude matters for them. They only time, he said they could be influenced is when they are serving as jurors.
However, the jury foreman responded that it is retribution that people are worried about. It is of a sinister nature and people are just not comfortable at the moment, he said.
