Graham Dwyer trial will not begin until Thursday

Justice tells jury not to pay any notice to opinions from outside court

File photograph of Graham Dwyer (42) of Kerrymount Close in Foxrock, Dublin 18, who pleaded not guilty to the murder of Elaine O’Hara on August 22nd, 2012. Photograph: Collins.
File photograph of Graham Dwyer (42) of Kerrymount Close in Foxrock, Dublin 18, who pleaded not guilty to the murder of Elaine O’Hara on August 22nd, 2012. Photograph: Collins.

The judge in the murder trial of Graham Dwyer has told the jury at the Central Criminal Court that the case is not in a position to proceed today.

In advising them at a brief hearing this morning, Mr Justice Tony Hunt said the trial would begin instead on Thursday.

He told them the case “promises to be long and difficult” and that they were now effectively the judges in it.

Mr Dwyer (42), a south Dublin architect with an address at Kerrymount Close in Foxrock, Dublin 18 is charged with murdering Dublin childcare worker Elaine O’Hara (37) in Co Dublin on August 22nd, 2012. He has pleaded not guilty.

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Ms O’ Hara’s remains were found in the Dublin Mountains on September 13th, 2013.

Justice Hunt also urged the members of the jury not pay any notice to any opinions on the case outside of the court.

In terms of media reports, he said they do not cover all aspects of the case and that “colour” pieces were “valueless”.

“Please do not have your heads turned by external matters,” he said.

He told the jury he was conscious they were the only ones present in the trial that were unpaid.

The defendant sat in court in a dark navy suit and tie.

His defence team is led by Remy Farrell SC and the prosecution by Sean Guerin SC.

Mark Hilliard

Mark Hilliard

Mark Hilliard is a reporter with The Irish Times