A Waterford man yesterday denied a murder in the city in December 1997.
In the Central Criminal Court, Mr Francis Hogan (35), a single, unemployed man, of Ardmore Park, Ballybeg, Waterford, pleaded not guilty to the murder of another single unemployed man, Mr Seamus Tubbritt (39), formerly of Pearse Park, Waterford, on December 9th, 1997.
Following his arraignment, a jury was sworn in for the start of the trial.
However, after an application from the prosecution, Mr Justice Carney told the jury he was adjourning the start of the trial for a day, as there was a question over the attendance of a Garda witness, who is on holiday.
He said the adjournment would also allow counsel to "prune" the number of witnesses, currently listed at 36.
