Man accused of attempted murder acquitted

The offences were alleged to have been committed on 1 June 2022

A County Armagh man accused of trying to cut a victim’s head off has been acquitted of attempted murder after the prosecution offered no evidence in the case.

Jamie Gollogly, 30, from Rockview Crescent in Belleeks, was facing two charges of attempted murder and single offences of aggravated burglary, criminal damage, and possessing a weapon, namely a hatchet.

The offences were alleged to have been committed on 1 June 2022.

Prosecuting KC David Russell said that due to "developments", the Crown now intended “to offer no evidence in the case", despite a jury having already been sworn in at Newry Crown Court on Monday.

Thanking the jury for their attendance, Judge Paul Ramsey KC said that as they had heard no evidence, “I will be directing you to find verdicts of not guilty by direction”.

Having checked the jury foreperson had signed to record not guilty verdicts, Judge Ramsey told Mr Gollogly, “you are free to leave the dock”.