There has been a hung jury in the trial of a young man accused of murdering a local fisherman in Co Waterford four years ago.
Dean Kerrie, who now lives in Portarlington, Co Laois, claimed he was acting in self-defence when he stabbed Jack Power in his home in Dunmore East.
In his closing speech, Dean Kerrie’s barrister told the jurors that his client had acted in self-defence when Mr Power entered his home in the early hours of July 26th 2018 and that he had no intention of doing anything other than protect his home.
A person can use force to defend themselves, others and their home from an intruder, as long as the force used isn’t excessive.
The prosecution claimed Dean stabbed Jack in “an act of retaliation” as he left the house following a scuffle.
Dean denied that when he took the stand last week, claiming Jack fell on a knife he had picked up while his mother was being assaulted by the local fisherman.
In the end, the jurors couldn’t reach an agreement after seven hours of deliberations.
Mr Kerrie was then remanded on continuing bail until his case comes back before the court later this month.
