POTENTIAL jurors being selected for a major trial at the Central Criminal Court last week were told they could be excused if they worked for companies "struggling" in the current economic slowdown.

The sympathetic gesture was made by judge Paul Carney as he was undergoing jury selection for the murder trial of Limerick man Gary Campion.

Although judges have used their discretion in the past to excuse members of the public from jury service for various reasons, this is believed to be the first time a judge has done so directly on the back of an economic recession.

Addressing would-be jurors last Monday, Carney asked them to be sure they would be available for a trial that could take some time to complete.

He then told them that if they were in the employment of "struggling" businesses or if they were self-employed, they could be excused in light of the current economic situation.

Such discretion generally comes down to individual judges although there have been numerous other examples over the years. Students are typically excused coming up to exams, while other cases have seen exceptions made for tourism-related workers in the high season and farmers in the run up to lambing season.

Judges have also been asked to excuse members of the public who work for small companies.

According to the 1976 Juries Act, everyone aged between 18 and 70 and who is registered to vote is both "qualified and liable" to serve on a jury if called.

There are some notable exceptions including anyone who has held any form of judicial office, staff members of the attorney general and the director of public prosecutions, barristers and solicitors, and members of the gardaí.

The legislation also states a county registrar can excuse people from service if "that person shows to the registrar's satisfaction that there is a good reason why he should be so excused".

A key point to Carney's gesture is thought to have been the potential for a lengthy trial and the effect that might have on companies whose employees were serving on the jury.

Gary Campion (25), of Pineview Gardens, Moyross, Limerick is charged with, and denies, the murder of Frank Ryan (21) on or about 21 September.