A Garda Regional Support Unit member testified in a trial yesterday he was briefed in advance that an accused man was expected to be at the scene of an attempted aggravated burglary.

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 Detective Garda has reiterated his evidence in the case of a two brothers accused of murdering a Co Offaly farmer, telling the Central Criminal Court he heard one of the accused say: "I hit him, you can arrest and charge me," when he arrived at the scene.