Shannon workers excused as jurors in Kelly trial

Two potential jurors in the trial of Ms Mary Kelly (51), were excused from jury service in the case yesterday by Judge Carroll Moran after telling him that they work in Shannon.

At Ennis Circuit Court yesterday, the anti-war activist appeared in connection with an alleged attack on a US navy aircraft at Shannon Airport on January 29th, 2003.

Ms Kelly is also charged with trespass on the same date.

During the empanelling of a jury of eight women and four men yesterday morning, a third potential juror was excused after he told Judge Carroll Moran: "I don't think I would be impartial in this case."

A fourth was excused after telling the court that he will be working on the security for the visit to Clare of US President, George Bush next week.

During the 45 minutes that it took to empanel a jury, prosecuting and defence counsel each exhausted their seven challenges to jurors with only eight jurors sworn in.

A crowd of 50 anti-war activists, including author and broadcaster, Leila Doolan, gathered outside Ennis courthouse to support Ms Kelly.

Two of Ms Kelly's four children, Martin and Laura, accompanied her to court yesterday.

In court, the former assistant secretary general of the UN, Mr Denis Halliday sat beside Ms Kelly for the duration of the proceedings yesterday.

Mr Halliday is due to testify on Ms Kelly's behalf.

Counsel for the State, Mr David Sutton BL, told Judge Moran that one of the State's US-based witnesses had missed his flight from America and the judge granted an application to adjourn the case to today.

In the absence of the jury, legal argument took place yesterday afternoon.

The court was told on Tuesday that the case could last six to seven days by counsel for Ms Kelly, Ms Antoinette Simon BL.

It is the second time that Ms Kelly - a mother of four - has gone on trial for the alleged attack with an axe on the Boeing 737 aircraft.