The trial of a Dublin man accused of the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin was adjourned until June by the Special Criminal Court yesterday. Mr Justice Barr, presiding, adjourned the trial until June 10th after hearing that the High Court is due to decide on the issue of confidential statements which the gardai want to keep from the defence team.
The court ruled last week that lawyers for the accused man, Mr Paul Ward, but not Mr Ward himself, could have restricted access under certain conditions to a number of statements given to gardai in confidence during their investigation into the Guerin murder.
But following the court's ruling, the Supreme Court granted leave to lawyers for the State to seek a judicial review of the decision.
Mr Ward (33), from Windmill Park, Crumlin, with an address at Walkinstown Road, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ms Guerin at Naas Road, Clondalkin, Co Dublin on June 26th, 1996.
The court was told last week that Ms Guerin was shot six times by the pillion passenger on a motorbike, who emptied the contents of a .357 Magnum revolver into her body as she sat in her car at traffic lights.
The court also heard that Mr Ward disposed of the murder weapon, which has never been recovered, and also of the motorbike used in the killing. Mr Ward was remanded in custody until March 11th, when the case will be mentioned again. The new trial date was fixed for June 10th.