A new trial date is to be fixed for a Balbriggan man charged with the murder of another man in the Co Dublin town last year. At the Central Criminal Court yesterday, Mr Justice Carney said Mr Alan Rooney (28), of Curran Park, Balbriggan, had withdrawn his plea of guilty to the manslaughter of David Hammond (24), also of Curran Park, in Balbriggan on April 27th, 1996.
Mr Rooney was due to go on trial on April 7th for the murder of Mr Hammond and at the opening of the trial pleaded not guilty to the charge. After a short adjournment, he was rearraigned and pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Hammond. He was remanded in custody for sentencing in June.
However, at the Central Criminal Court yesterday Mr Justice Carney said Mr Rooney had withdrawn his plea of guilty of manslaughter.
The judge said he was cancelling the plea of guilty to manslaughter in the case and he put the matter in for mention on May 8th next when a new trial date is expected to be fixed.
Mr Rooney was remanded in custody.