Jury discharged as Cork murder trial collapses

The Macroom murder trial collapsed today on what was the ninth day at hearing before a judge and jury.

This afternoon at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford thanked the nine men and three women of the jury.

The judge said: “As I indicated to you yesterday, there was a legal argument to be had of a significant nature… For legal reasons – for me rather than you – I am going to discharge you now as a jury… There were legal issues that had to be dealt with by me. I am going to excuse you from jury service for five years.

“These cases are difficult. You have been engaged on this and your participation has been extremely helpful and necessary.” 

For legal reasons the legal issues that gave rise to today’s development cannot be published.

When the trial commenced, 33-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 both denied the murder of 61-year-old Michael Foley at his home in Macroom between January 31 and February 1, 2024. 

To the murder charge, each of them replied not guilty to murder but guilty of impeding the prosecution of another person.