Jury discharged in trial of three accused of murdering Kerry man

David Raleigh

A jury in the trial of three people charged with murdering a man in Co Kerry, two years ago, was discharged on Wednesday, and the trial was adjourned to a later date.

The jury at the Central Criminal Court, sitting in Limerick, was told that it was being discharged due to legal issues around disclosure of evidence, and that the matters had nothing to do with the jury itself.

Judge Patrick McGrath said the trial could not immediately continue and he adjourned proceedings for a pre-trial hearing on July 20th.

The trial had got underway last Friday when Kieran Brady, Abigail Lynch, and Kane Hornyak, each pleaded not guilty to the murder of Gerard Kennelly, mid-30s.

Kennelly, a father-of-one, from north Kerry, was found with fatal stab injuries at Knockanure village, near Listowel, in the early hours of Monday, May 27th, 2024.

Kieran Brady, mid-30s, appeared before the court with an address at Upper Athea, Co Limerick; Abigail Lynch, (24), has an address at Woodview Place, Tarbert, Co Kerry; and Kane Hornyak, (29), appeared before the court with an address at Doon Road, Ballybunion, Co Kerry.

All three accused face a single charge contained in the State’s Book of Evidence that they did each murder Mr Kennelly, contrary to common law.

Lynch was represented in court by senior counsel Mark Lynam and Caroline O’Connell BL, instructed by Eimear Griffin, Padraig J O’Connell Solicitors, Killarney.

Kieran Brady was represented in court by senior counsel Bernard Condon and Richard Liston BL, instructed by Fahy Bambury Solicitors, Dublin.

Kane Hornyak was represented in court by senior counsel Seamus Clarke and Katie O’Connell BL, instructed by solicitor Padraig J O’Connell.