A judge in the trial of murder-accused Graham Dwyer has issued a warning to the public about tweeting matters from court discussed in the absence of the jury.
Mr Justice Tony Hunt has said he would like to draw people's attention to the fact that the rules of court do not permit reporting of matters that are said in the absence of the jury. His comments were made after a member of the public tweeted on Tuesday about discussions held when the jury was not present.
The judge said the rules were in place for good reason, so that the jury did not hear about necessary discussions held on legal matters in their absence, and they were going to be respected.
“If they are broken again, someone is going to spend time in jail for contempt of court,” he said.
Though his remarks were made in the absence of the jury, Mr Justice Hunt said he would like the matter to be reported, with the consent of the defence and prosecution.
Mr Dwyer (42), an architect from Kerrymount Close in Foxrock, is charged with murdering childcare worker Elaine O’Hara (36) on August 22nd, 2012. He has pleaded not guilty.
Ms O’ Hara’s remains were found in forestry on Kilakee Mountain, Rathfarnham, on September 13th, 2013.
