The second of two Co Laois brothers on trial for murder has told the jury in his case that he never struck the man they are accused of killing.

A father of three who is on trial along with his brother for murder, told gardaí he was shocked when the man he is accused of killing made comments about his daughter who has Down's Syndrome in the months prior to the incident.

The trial of two brothers accused of murdering a farmer in a dispute over a heifer, has heard one of the brothers looked “vicious and “ mad to do something” before inviting the dead man onto his land.