THE trial of a Kildare primary school vice principal for allegedly sexually assaulting former pupils has ended at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court with the discharge of the jury on the third day.
Judge Kevin Haugh told the jury he had no choice but to discharge it from the case because additional documentation and information which was pertinent to the case and relevant to the defence had become available.
Judge Haugh said the defence lawyers had to be given an opportunity of studying this new material.
The court was told the Eastern Health Board had seven hours of taped interviews with three of the alleged victims. The existence of this material was unknown to either the prosecution or defence before the trial began.
Judge Haugh directed that copies of the material be made available to both sides and that they be returned to the EHB on disposal of the issue.
The 54 year old teacher has pleaded not guilty to a total of 22 charges.
A new trial date will be arranged later.
