Jury to resume deliberations in insurance fraud trial
The jury in the Ir£151,000 alleged insurance fraud conspiracy trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has been sent to a hotel overnight after failing to reach a verdict.
Judge Joseph Matthews told the jury to cease its deliberations after it had been out for almost four hours on day-14 of the hearing.
It will resume its consideration of the evidence tomorrow.
Mr James Murphy (aged 44), a lorry driver of Main Street, Castlebellingham, Co Louth Mr Murphy (aged 44) and Mr Desmond McGonigle (aged 58), a retired garda of Knockvicar, Boyle, Co Roscommon, deny involvement in a conspiracy to defraud the Guardian / PMPA (now Axa) by falsely pretending a traffic accident occurred at Annaduff, Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim on January 28, 1996.
The jury has been told the accused are alleged to have conspired together and with others including businessman Mr Michael Byrne of Sligo Road, Longford; Mr Michael McDonald, Rathcor, Riverstown, Dundalk, a director of Portfleet Ltd, owners of the Scania transporter, driven by Mr Murphy; and Mr Jeremiah O’Donovan, of Fairview Terrace, Birr, who was the Rover driver.
Mr Murphy received £15,000 for personal injuries arising of the alleged accident, while Mr O’Donovan received £18,000 for the alleged loss of a new Rover car.
Portfleet Ltd had its claims for losses in connection with two Scania tractor units settled for £101,000.
Other payments were made to legal advisors dealing with the claims.
