Jury told no evidence today in Macroom murder trial over 'legal issue'

No evidence will be heard by the jury today in the case against a man and woman who are accused of the murder of 61-year-old Michael Foley at his home in Barrett’s Place in Macroom on February 1 2024.

Both of the accused made the same reply to the murder charge when they were arraigned at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork.

Each of them replied: “Not guilty of murder but guilty of assisting an offender under Section 7 Subsection 2 of the Criminal Law Act 1997.” Jane Hyland prosecution senior counsel said that both of the accused effectively blamed each other for what happened.

32-year-old Daniel Hourigan, who is originally from Farranree in Cork city and 32-year-old Linda O'Flynn, who is originally from the Hollyhill area of Cork city, are the two accused.

The jury of seven men and five women was told by Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford today: “I have had some discussions with counsel. A legal issue has arisen. I need to attend to it. I do not require you for the rest of the day. I am going to leave you go now and see you back here tomorrow at 11am.” 

The judge repeated her warning to the jury not to engage in any explorations on social media or on the internet.