Emotions high after verdict of not guilty returned

Family and friends waited anxiously for the verdict and a dam of pent-up emotions broke when the jury returned its 'not guilty' verdict.

The quiet declaration by the jury forewoman that it had found Mr Philip Byrne not guilty opened the floodgates for family and friends who had sat with him through the long hearing.

His partner, who had sat close to him for the past 12 days in the vaulted ceilinged courtroom, began to sob. Mr Byrne (44) was sitting foward on his chair, his elbows resting on his knees, his hands clasped.

The control he'd exercised over the past days and weeks showed signs of breaking. Tears welled.

The case had lasted two weeks and two days. Judge Dominick Lynch finished his summing up on Friday, and the jury was sent out to begin its deliberations on Monday morning. Through Monday and Tuesday the tension felt by Mr Byrne, his family and friends was obvious.

On occasion, someone would begin to cry and be comforted by others. Mr Byrne was kept company by his partner, his father, a son and daughter, and a number of close friends. Others waiting in the courtroom included lawyers, gardaí, court officials and prison wardens.

At around noon yesterday, the jury knocked on the courtroom door to get the attention of the garda assigned to them. People put their jackets back on, everyone went back to their seats. The garda emerged to say the jury members needed more milk for their tea. "Oh for God's sake!" Mr Byrne's partner was heard to exclaim.

Just before lunch, the jury again knocked on the door. The judge was called and the jury emerged. It wanted to know what the law was in relation to reaching a majority verdict. Judge Lynch explained the law and the jury then went to lunch. Some people speculated a decision was imminent. When the jury again knocked on the door early in the afternoon, most people in the room thought this was it. Everyone took their seats. Some members of the jury, when they emerged, looked towards Mr Byrne and his family and smiled.

The nightmare that had started in November 1997 with a stock exchange investigation was over. When Judge Lynch retired there was an outbreak of embracing and crying.

Dunloe finance director Mr Tim Kenny gave a warm, emotional embrace to Mr Byrne.Everyone on Mr Byrne's side of the court seemed to produce a mobile phone as the good news was spread.