A man accused of shooting a pregnant woman during a botched murder attempt has absconded from his trial at the Central Criminal Court.
Mr Justice O'Neill discharged the jury after telling it that the accused, Mr Paul Rowley, could not be located since last Tuesday. Mr Rowley's defence had indicated it would withdraw if the trial went ahead without its client.
Mr Rowley (29), of Cherry Orchard Avenue, Ballyfermot, has pleaded not guilty to trying to murder Mr John Alford at Ballyfermot Drive, Dublin, on December 11th, 1996. He also pleaded not guilty to maliciously intending to cause grievous bodily harm to Mr Alford's girlfriend, Ms Violet Blackburn Power, who was shot in the knee during the attack.
He also pleaded not guilty to having a firearm and ammunition.
