A jury of seven women and five men has been sworn in at the Central Criminal Court to try a man accused of the murder of a woman in Derry last year.
Stephen Cahoon will make legal history tomorrow as the first person to face a jury in the Republic for a non-terrorist related offence in Northern Ireland.
Mr Cahoon (37) of Harvey Street, Derry, is accused of murdering his partner Jean Quigley at her home in Cornshell Fields, in the Shantallow area of the city on July 26th, 2008. The mother of four was pregnant at the time of her death.
During a brief hearing in Dublin’s Central Criminal Court the defendant, who was dressed in a grey coloured hoody and jeans, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Seven women and five men were chosen to hear the trial.
Mr Justice Paul Carney warned jurors should indicate if they knew the defendant, the 30-year-old murder victim, her family or had any connections with Derry before taking the oath.
The judge also revealed the trial is expected to last two to two and a half weeks. “It was earlier called on to last six weeks... but issues have been narrowed and witnesses pruned,” said Mr Justice Carney.
Under the Criminal Law Jurisdiction Act of 1976 suspects can be tried in the Republic for alleged offences in Britain or Northern Ireland.
After his arrest in Co Donegal in Augsut 2008, Mr Cahoon opted to have his trial in the Republic instead of Northern Ireland