Jury sworn in Lough Erne murder accused's trial

Trial judge Madam Justice McBride told them the accused – Stephen McKinney, originally from the Strabane area, but living in Convoy, County Donegal at the time – denies murdering his wife, Lu Na McKinney.

Little other detail was given during the two hour-long selection process, save that it "involved a drowning incident" near Devenish Island on the Lower Lough between April 11 and April 14, 2017.

The prospective jurors also heard the couple’s lake cruiser was hired from Manor House Hotel, and if they had also done so, or had any connection with the hotel, they should excuse themselves.

The judge also advised the jury panel they should inform the court if they knew or had read anything of the case, or knew of Mr. McKinney, his wife, or even of Mr. McKinney's family in Strabane.

The prospective jurors were also informed that prosecution and defence counsel estimated the trial will last between eight to ten weeks, and that the case would hear from 70 witnesses, identified by name during the jury selection.

Given the restrictions imposed by Covid, it took longer than normal to select the potential 12 jurors and a number of reserves, with sections of the panel having to be called into court on three separate occasions.

In between each selection process, the jury box and adjoining areas was cleaned.

Following their selection, jury members were sworn and ‘put in charge’ of the case.

They were told to return tomorrow (Tuesday, April 27), with five others selected as potential reserve jurors, for the start of the trial.

Madam Justice McBride also warned the jurors not to talk of the case to anyone, including close family members.

She also warned they should not carry out any background investigation into the case on the internet, impressing upon them they should decide on the case solely on the evidence they hear in court.

Mr. McKinney, with an address in Castletown Square in Fintona, was released on continuing bail.