The jury in the murder trial of a Co Louth man (42) has been discharged after the presiding judge fell ill.
It was decided today that Mr Justice Andrias O'Caoimh will now take over the trial from Mr Justice Diarmuid O'Donovan who had presided over the first day of the trial yesterday.
Mr Michael Murphy from Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, denies the murder of a 28-year-old German tourist, Bettina Poeschel, at Donore, Co Meath on an unknown date between September 25th and October 17th, 2001.
Mr Justice Paul Carney adjourned the trial until next Monday, January 19th, when a fresh panel of 12 jurors will be sworn in before Mr Justice O'Caoimh.
