Derry murder trial adjourned

The trial of a Derry man charged with murdering a pregnant mother of four has been adjourned until tomorrow.

The trial of a Derry man charged with murdering a pregnant mother of four has been adjourned until tomorrow.

Stephen Cahoon will make legal history as the first person to face a jury in the Republic for a non-terrorist related offence in the North.

The trial was due to begin today at Dublin's Central Criminal Court but Judge Patrick McCarthy told the jury it was being put back due to the complexities of the case.

"A further day will be beneficial to the ultimate running of the case," he said.

Mr Cahoon (37) who was in court, is accused of murdering his partner Jean Quigley at her home in Cornshell Fields, in the Shantallow area of Derry on July 26th last year.

He pleaded not guilty during a brief hearing at the court yesterday.

After his arrest in Donegal, Mr Cahoon, of Harvey Street, Derry, opted to have his trial in the Republic instead of the north.

Under the Criminal Law Jurisdiction Act of 1976 suspects can be tried in the Republic for alleged offences in Britain or Northern Ireland.

PA