The jury in the case of two brothers on trial for murdering a 49-year-old farmer in a dispute over a stray heifer, is expected to begin its deliberations when the trial resumes next Tuesday.

Lawyers for two brothers on trial for murdering a farmer, have told the jury that it is unreasonable that they should be asked by the prosecution to consider that a man “over a stray heifer turned into a killer or became involved in a plot to kill or cause serious harm”.

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 Co Laois builder on trial along with his younger brother for murder, has denied under cross-examination that he fabricated his evidence that he was “purely defending” himself when he struck his neighbour.

One of two Co Laois brothers accused of murdering a farmer has told the jury in his trial that he was “purely defending” himself when he hit out at the dead man, after he had forced himself onto his land to get back a heifer.

The Assistant State Pathologist has today told the trial of two brothers accused of murdering a farmer, that the head injury he sustained during a dispute on their farmyard “substantially” contributed to his death.

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.

One of two brothers on trial for the murder of a Co Offaly farmer told gardaí he hit the dead man with the handle of a shovel, when he made a remark about his daughter who has Down's Syndrome.

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.

The main witness in the trial of two brothers accused of murdering a neighbouring farmer, has denied that the dead man called one brother “scum” and told the other there was “bad breeding” in him.

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.

Two brothers are due to go on trial at the Central Criminal Court today accused of murdering a Co Offaly farmer three years ago.

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.

Two brothers have gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court accused of murdering a Co Offaly farmer two years ago.