The jury in the trial of property developer Michael Ryan was discharged this morning after the judge told them an "issue" had arisen which made it unsafe to continue.
Mr Ryan, 60, of The Sweepstakes, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, had pleaded not guilty at Waterford Circuit Court to making three corrupt payments, totalling €80,000, to then-town councillor Fred Forsey Jnr in 2006.
On the the fifth day of the case, a morning of legal discussions in the absence of the jury resulted in Judge Donagh McDonagh withdrawing the case from the jury and discharging them.
Mr Ryan has been remanded on continuing bail and the case has been listed for a new trial at the next circuit court sessions in Waterford, starting on 9 April.
