A jury has been discharged at the Central Criminal Court after failing to agree on a verdict in the trial of man charged with the attempted murder of his former partner.
Philip Cox, 39, who is originally from Tallaght, Dublin, but has an address at York Street Flats in Dublin 2, had pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of his former partner Cristal O'Brien on 1 December 2022.
Ms O'Brien said Mr Cox broke two knives during an attack and went to get a third before she fled a neighbour's apartment where she had gone to hide from him.
The trial had been briefly disrupted during her evidence after Mr Cox stood up and left the courtroom saying she was a "lying" and made a derogatory remark.
The jury was told Ms O’Brien had been in an 18-year relationship with Mr Cox and they had a child together.
They had been living apart since July 2022 but Mr Cox would stay at the apartment for two days during the week on his days off to take care of their child while Ms O’Brien was at work.
Prosecuting counsel Tim O'Leary had in closing arguments told the jury that the accused had made his intentions "absolutely clear" on the night, leaving "no doubt in the case".
However, the defence argued the evidence was consistent only with an intention to cause harm.
Senior Counsel Eoghan Cole said the injuries were relatively minor and had no significant penetration or depth.
After deliberating for a total of seven hours and 33 minutes over three days the jury members could not agree a verdict.
The case was adjourned to 22 March next to hear if a date for a retrial is to be set.
