The trial of a former Christian Brother accused of sexually assaulting four pupils while teaching at the North Monastery Secondary School in Cork has collapsed,
Edward Bryan (58), formerly Br Bryan, of Martinvilla, Athboy Road, Trim, Co Meath, had denied a total of 10 charges of indecently assaulting four boys between September 1st, 1984, and June 30th, 1990.
But yesterday, during the second day of the trial, an issue arose over an unsolicited comment by one of the witnesses during his direct evidence and following a brief legal argument in the absence of the jury, Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin
informed the jury that the case could not continue.
“Unfortunately the case cannot continue – I’m obliged to discharge you and the trial will have to start again,” he said.