Two men have pleaded guilty at Carlow Circuit Court to the attempted deception of a post office worker involving the pension of a dead man last year.
The incident happened on 21 January at Hosey's Post Office on Staplestown Road in Carlow town.
Declan Haughney, 41, with an address at Pollerton Road in Carlow town, and his co-accused, 37-year-old Gareth Coakley, with an address at John Sweeney Park in Carlow town, asked to be rearraigned to change their pleas before their trial got under way in Carlow courthouse.
The two defendants pleaded guilty to attempted deception.
They had originally pleaded not guilty to the charge and to one count each of attempting to steal the €246 weekly State Pension of Peadar Doyle, contrary to common law.
The prosecution had told the court that the case was "likely to run into the tail end of next week" and that 29 witnesses would be called to give evidence.
Judge Eugene O'Kelly told the jury of nine men and ten women, who were sworn in yesterday, that their services were no longer necessary and he discharged the jury.
He said there has been significant public interest in the case, as "a deceased gentleman was taken out from the post office".
The judge said the "somewhat bizarre circumstances" of what he described as "an unusual case, involving unusual features" will be outlined on Friday, when the sentencing hearing for the two men takes place.
The judge also said given the incident involved a dead man, it was appropriate to consider a victim impact statement from Mr Doyle's family.
He also granted an application from Haughney's lawyer David Roberts that a report on his client be prepared by the Governor of Wheatfield Prison.
Haughney was remanded in continuing custody, while Coakley was also remanded in custody.
Both men have been ordered to appear again before Carlow Circuit Court on Friday to be sentenced for an offence that the court heard carries a maximum prison term of up to five years.
