Deaf juror takes part in verdict in indecent assault case

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

A jury reached a verdict in an indecent assault case in the Circuit Criminal Court. The proceedings were reported on 14 October 2020.

Patricia Heffernan became the first deaf person to take part in deliberations after a criminal trial. She was assisted by two Irish Sign Language interpreters, who took an oath not to interfere with the debate.

Judge Sinead Ni Chulacain said it was the first time a jury with a deaf member had deliberated and reached a verdict in an Irish criminal trial. She thanked the interpreters and said she hoped the presence of a deaf juror would become normal.