Jury hearing Michael Foley murder case in Cork court is discharged 

The jury that was sworn in last Thursday for the trial of a man and woman accused of murdering 61-year-old Michael Foley at his home in Barrett’s Place in Macroom on February 1 2024, was discharged today.

This followed a day of legal discussion in the absence of jury members yesterday. The case has now been adjourned until Tuesday, November 4, at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork.

When the five women and seven men were brought back to court today, Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford said: “Thank you very much for your attendance. We are very grateful. Unfortunately, for legal reasons I have to discharge you as a jury. You are no longer required to sit on this jury.

“You may be saying you came here to do jury service but there are legal issues that have to be decided in any given trial. 

"I hope it does not put you off doing jury service in the future but you are free to go.” 

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

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.”