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"New low for opening addresses": jury discharged after member appears to fall asleep
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, the jury was discharged after a juror appeared to fall asleep 15 minutes into the opening address. Prosecutor Garrett Baker BL was explaining "beyond reasonable doubt" when a juror was found seemingly asleep, prompting a jury minder to intervene. Defence barrister Pieter Le Vert BL reported that another male juror also seemed about to nod off. Judge Elma Sheahan ruled that the trial could not replace the two jurors, so she discharged the entire jury. The case involves Dean Joyce (24) of Rowlagh Park, Clondalkin, who pleaded not guilty to 11 charges, including endangering gardaí by driving his car into a garda van, four counts of dangerous driving, possession of stolen property, driving without a licence, driving without insurance, possession of a boxcutter used in a burglary, criminal damage of a garda van, and failing to stop for gardaí. A new jury will be sworn in today.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "New low for opening addresses": jury discharged after member appears to fall asleep. Charges or matters: 11 charges, including endangering gardaí by driving his car into a garda van, four counts of dangerous driving and possession of stolen property in Ballyfermot and Clondalkin on March 3, 2015; driving without a licence, driving without insurance, possession of a boxcutter that was used in a burglary, criminal damage of a garda van and failing to stop for gardaí on the same date. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- March 3, 2015 Incident
- 2017-02-13 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: 11 charges, including endangering gardaí by driving his car into a garda van, four counts of dangerous driving and possession of stolen property in Ballyfermot and Clondalkin on March 3, 2015; driving without a licence, driving without insurance, possession of a boxcutter that was used in a burglary, criminal damage of a garda van and failing to stop for gardaí on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
Burglary Road Traffic Stage Trial Theft
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