Two brothers on trial for murdering a neighbouring farmer after his heifer strayed on to their land, have been described as “madmen” by the main witness in the trial.

The jury has been discharged in the trial of two brothers accused of murdering Edward Dempsey (aged 49), a Co Offaly farmer, because of “insuperable” difficulties.

A Garda witness has told the jury in the murder trial of two brothers that one of the accused men told him the deceased had insulted his daughter, who has Down's Syndrome, prior to the alleged assault.