THE trial of the former League of Ireland footballer, Derek Dunne, came to an abrupt end yesterday when the jury was discharged because of publicity over the murder of Veronica Guerin.
The former St Patrick's Athletic FC player, who is accused of plotting to smuggle heroin to Ireland, was due to continue evidence this morning at Liverpool Crown Court, but after legal discussions Judge David Marshall Evans QC discharged the jury. A retrial is to begin on September 11th.
The decision to stop the trial followed publicity surrounding the recent murder of journalist Veronica Guerin, the judge said.a Although this publicity did not involve Mr Dunne it was felt that a retrial should be held.
It is understood the judge was referring to an article in the Sunday Telegraph about Ms Guerin reporting of the criminal underworld in Ireland in which mention was made of a Dunne family allegedly involved with drugs.
It was accepted by the court that Derek Dunne had no connection with this family. But the judge believed that members of the jury could have been prejudiced to such an extent as to rule out a fair trial for the defendant.
Mr Dunne (29), of Alfie Byrne House, Dublin, was further remanded in custody. He denies conspiring with others to smuggle heroin between July 1st, 1994 and March 21st last year.