Courts / Dublin / Report
Self-isolating judge directs jury from home
Summary
Judge James McCourt, who had close contact with a Covid‑19 case, directed a jury from his home via video link to the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin. He informed the jury that he was socially isolating after the contact tested positive, and that he himself had tested negative. The trial concerns two brothers accused of repeatedly indecently assaulting their younger brothers between 1979 and 1988. One complainant testified that he was raped up to 1,200 times over several years. The trial began last week; the jury started deliberations on Thursday but were sent home on Friday because Judge McCourt was absent. The brothers, aged 55 and 50, have pleaded not guilty to 35 and 16 sample counts respectively. The jury, composed of seven women and five men, resumed deliberations this morning. The defendants are not named to protect the complainants' anonymity. The alleged abuse took place at the family home in Dublin. The trial is ongoing.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Self-isolating judge directs jury from home. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- 1979 and 1988 Incident
- 1979 and 1985 Other
- 1985 and 1988 Other
- 2020-09-14 Publication
Why: The trial began last week and the jury began deliberating on Thursday afternoon but were sent home on Friday morning because Judge McCourt was absent due to the Covid-19 contact. CNI source report
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