The trial of a man charged with the manslaughter of a Valeri Ranert has collapsed at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The Estonian national was attacked by a group of people who approached his car as it was parked in a lay-by near Dublin Airport between 12.30am and 1am on 30 April 2007.
The 27-year-old was pulled from his vehicle and left lying on the roadside before his car was driven away.
The burnt out car was later found at a disused halting site near Darndale, off the N32.
Judge Tony Hunt discharged the jury of six men and six women on day 11 of the trial and at the close of the State's case.
Paul Gibbons, 27, of Moatview Drive, Priorswood, had pleaded not guilty to unlawfully killing Valeri Ranert at Naul Road, Swords, in April 2007.
He had also pleaded not guilty to unlawfully seizing by force the Golf car belonging to Mr Ranert on the same occasion.
Judge Hunt explained to the jurors he felt they should not have heard certain evidence concerning Mr Gibbons's garda interviews and that this may have had ‘huge implications’ on the balance of the trial.
He told them: ‘Virtually at the last hurdle the horse falls and you were deprived of the purpose you were brought here to do’.
‘You stayed with the case and that's a great tribute to you to give up two weeks of your life especially coming up to Christmas’.
He thanked the jurors, said he hoped they found their time in court ‘instructive’ and exempted them from jury service for ten years.
