The Antrim Crown Court jury of eight women and four men were told only that "as a result of certain matters which have arisen", they were being discharged them from any further involvement in the 27-day trial.

Mr Justice Treacy also thanked the jury, first sworn in on September 8 last, telling them that given their commitment to the trial since then, he would, if they wished, discharge them for life from any further jury service.

No other details surrounding the legal move were given in court and the case has now been adjourned until November 10 when a new jury will be sworn in.

This is the second dramatic turn of events to overtake the running of the case.

Within days of it first opening, one of the original accused, 20-year-old Mervyn Wilson Moon from Douglas Terrace, Ballymena, pleaded guilty to his involvement in the murder of the 15-year-old.

The schoolboy died from brain injuries the day after he and friends were allegedly chased and attacked in an alleyway by Moon and others on May 7 2006.

Moon, who faces life imprisonment has been remanded back into custody to await sentence at the end of the retrial of his former co-accused, five of whom deny murder.

Those still on trial for murder are; a 17-year-old who cant be named for legal reasons, 19-year-olds Jeff Colin Lewis of Rossdale, Christopher Francis Kerr (22), Carnduff Drive, Aaron Cavana Wallace (20), Moat Road, and Christopher Andrew McLeister (18), Knock Crescent, all Ballymena.

A sixth defendant is 18-year-old Paul Edward David Henson of Condiere Avenue, Ballymena who denies charges of affray and criminal damage.

Henson, McLeister, Wallace and the 17-year-old were freed on continuing bail, while Lewis and Kerr were remanded back into custody.