Delay likely in Guerin trial

The trial of a man charged with the murder of the journalist Veronica Guerin is unlikely to proceed until October following a decision of the Supreme Court yesterday. Mr Paul Ward (33), a native of Windmill Park, Crumlin, with an address at Walkinstown Road, Dublin, is charged with the murder of Ms Guerin at Naas Road, Clondalkin, on June 26th, 1996.He has been in custody since October 1996, and his trial before the Special Criminal Court was due to open on June 10th. However, because a Supreme Court appeal in relation to the case will not be heard until July 8th, legal sources believe the trial will not proceed until October.