A former soldier accused of murdering an 18-month-old infant told gardai that, if responsible, he wished the child's father would shoot him, the Central Criminal Court heard today.

A former soldier charged with murdering an 18-month-old infant appeared drunk when gardai arrived at the scene on the morning of the killing, a murder trial jury heard.

A 32-year-old man today pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to the murder of an 18-month-old baby in Co Dublin almost two years ago.