The trial of three men accused of conspiring to defraud Guardian/PMPA insurance company by faking an accident and claiming over £150,000 in compensation has collapsed after a juror fell ill and failed to appear.
The trial collapsed on day two, even before the opening statement by prosecuting counsel, Mr George Birmingham SC, had been completed. It had been expected to last three to four weeks, and had been expected to run into January. A new jury is to be sworn in on Monday at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The decision to discharge the jury was announced to the jury after lunch following extensive consultation between defence counsel, the three accused and the prosecution.
A retired garda, a taxi driver and a lorry driver have denied conspiring with others to defraud the Guardian/PMPA by staging the accident, which allegedly took place at Annaduff, Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim, on January 28th, 1996.
Mr Jeremiah O'Donovan (44), of Fairview, Birr, Co Offaly, a taxi driver, Mr James Murphy (44), of Darragh Park, Old Warrenpoint, Newry, a lorry driver, and Mr Desmond McGonigle (58), of Knockvicar, Boyle, Co Roscommon, a retired garda, have each pleaded not guilty to the charge.