THE trial of two men charged with the murder of a Ukrainian teenager in Limerick two years ago is due to get under way today.
John O’Loughlin (20), Cecil Street, and Anthony Mason (18), Bishop Street, both deny murdering Roman Vysochan (16) on May 10th, 2008.
Mr O’Loughlin has admitted assaulting another teenager Stephen McNamara at a house in the Carrig Midhe estate, Corbally, on the same date.
His co-accused has denied this charge.
Ukrainian-born Roman Vysochan had been living in the estate on the outskirts of Limerick city with his family for a number of years.
The trial was supposed to start at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Limerick yesterday, but a male juror was excused. A new member will be empanelled today.
Mr Justice Paul Carney also refused an application by Mr O’Loughlin’s defence team to have the two men tried separately.