Two men have been cleared by a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of killing Mr Josie Dwyer four years ago. However, both men were convicted of violent disorder and of assault on Mr Alan Byrne, who was with Mr Dwyer when the two were attacked by vigilantes in Dublin's south inner city on May 14th, 1996.
Mark Alford (30), a painter-decorator, of Seagull House, Crumlin, was unanimously convicted of both charges.
William Kenny (55), a printer, of St Anthony's Road, Rialto, was unanimously convicted of violent disorder and convicted of assaulting Mr Byrne by an 11 to one majority.
Mr George Birmingham SC, prosecuting, said that both Kenny and Alford had attended court at every stage of the case and he had no objection to their release on bail.
Judge Patrick McCartan rel eased them on bail for sentence on May 24th but warned them that their situation was "grave".
He added that they should be under no illusions, given the fate of other accused in the Josie Dwyer case who had been convicted of similar offences.
In all, 12 men have gone on trial for manslaughter of Mr Dwyer, assault on Mr Byrne and violent disorder.
Four men, Mr John Kenny (40), Mr Martin Glynn (46) and Mr Christopher O'Shea (49) all of Dolphin House, Rialto, and Mr Andrew Kelly (36) of Fatima Mansions, were cleared of all three charges after Judge McCartan ordered the jury to return a not guilty verdict on the seventh day of the trial.
Last December, John Fitzpatrick (37) of Fatima Mansions was jailed for 7 1/2 years for manslaughter and violent disorder. His co-accused, Mark Cooke, was jailed for 20 months for violent disorder.
Another co-accused, Mr Hugh Byrne (33) of Dolphin House, was cleared of all charges.
Last February, Ronald Byrne (40), of Ballyfermot and Stephen Carney, of Dolphin House, Rialto, were each jailed by the Special Criminal Court for 20 months for violent disorder and assaults on Mr Byrne.
The prosecution dropped all charges against a third man, Mr Bernard Dempsey (41), of Marrowbone Flats, Rialto in the Special Criminal Court trial.