THE CASE of a man charged with the murder of his friend in an apartment in Enniscorthy in April 2012 collapsed on Monday after the presiding judge discharged the jury.

Michael Furlong (36) of Meadowfield, The Moyne, had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Patrick Connors (37) on a date between April 28 and 29 in 2011, at Carraig Túr apartments in Enniscorthy.

Mr. Justice Barry White told the jury of seven men and five women that “certain concerns” had arisen relating to Deputy State Pathologist Dr. Khalid Jabbar’s opinion as to the “mechanism of death” in the case.

He said: “In light of these concerns, it would not be appropriate to let the mater continue before you.”

He discharged the jury and thanked them for their service. He discharged them from further jury service for a further ten years.

The trial of Mr. Furlong started on November 5 and had been due to take around three weeks, with over 50 witnesses to be called.

In court last week, evidence was heard from two pathologists, Deputy State Pathologist Dr. Khalid Jabbar who was a prosecution witness and Dr. Declan Gilsenan who was a witness for the defence.

The trial was adjourned on Friday afternoon after Mr. Justice White told the jury that the prosecution was unable to proceed with its cross-examination of Dr. Gilsenan until matters were clarified with Dr. Jabbar. He said the trial would resume on Monday.

[Full coverage in this week's Echo]