Lacken man Martin Earley has been acquitted of the murder of Sandra Collins, who went missing in Killala 14 years ago.
The 50-year-old with an address at Banagher, Carrowmore-Lacken, was acquitted yesterday (Thursday ) morning on the direction of the trial judge, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy.
The trail was heard over 18 days at the Central Criminal Court in Castlebar.
Mr Justice McCarthy told the jury yesterday morning that there was insufficient evidence to prove that Mr Earler murdered Sandra Collins and he directed the jury to acquit the accused.
Mr Earley broke down in tears and hugged his legal team after the decision was announced.
Sandra Collins went missing on the night of December 4, 2000. Her body was never recovered and there were no sightings of her after that date.
