One of three men accused of beating to death a drug addict, Mr Josie Dwyer, has been found not guilty by a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Mr Hugh Byrne (33), of Dolphin House, Rialto, Dublin, was cleared of manslaughter after 41/2 hours of jury deliberations. It was the 22nd day of the trial.
He was also cleared of violent disorder, and assault against Mr Alan Byrne, who was with Mr Dwyer when the pair were attacked by anti-drugs vigilantes in Dublin's south inner city. Judge Dominic Lynch told the jury to continue deliberations today on similar charges against the two remaining accused. Mr Mark Cooke (25), Dolphin House, and Mr John Fitzpatrick (35), Fatima Mansions, have pleaded not guilty to manslaughter of Mr Dwyer, as well as violent disorder and assault on Mr Byrne at Basin Lane, Dublin, on May 14th, 1996.