A 74-year-old painter bludgeoned his wife to death with a two-foot metal bar and inflicted a serious head injury on his son before causing his own death by drinking weed-killer, an inquest has heard.

A forensic scientist has told a murder trial that DNA from the tip of a knife found in the accused man’s bedroom matched the deceased, while blood on the handle of the knife matched the accused.

DNA on a knife found in the car of a retired member of the defence forces matched that of a prostitute he is accused of murdering in Co Westmeath four years ago, a jury has heard.

A Limerick murder trial has heard that DNA matching the dead man’s was found on the clothing and shoes of one of the men accused of murdering him.

The woman accused of murdering a man in Bandon had blood of the victim under a fingernail on her right hand, a forensic scientist told a judge and jury yesterday.