Jury unable to reach verdict in Docklands bomb case

A man accused of the Docklands bombing which ended the IRA's 18-month ceasefire and killed two people will have a retrial after a jury at the Old Bailey was unable to agree on verdicts yesterday, writes Jason Bennetto.

The jury of seven men and four women was discharged after they sent a note to the judge saying: "The jury is unable to reach a unanimous or majority verdict and we feel we have exhausted all possible avenues." This followed deliberation of more than nine hours over two days after a five week trial. The judge, Mr Justice Blofeld, signalled that a retrial will take place.

James McCardle, 29, had been accused of planting the giant lorry bomb at South Quay, east London, that exploded on 9 February 1996 killing two people. Mr McCardle from Crossmaglen, denies two charges of murder and conspiracy to cause explosions between 30 October 1995 and 10 February 1996.