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 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.

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 Garda witness has told the jury in the murder trial of two brothers that one of the accused men told him the deceased had insulted his daughter, who has Down's Syndrome, prior to the alleged assault.

A witness in the trial of two brothers accused of murdering a 49-year-old farmer in Co Laois has denied that the deceased called one of the accused “scum” and told the other there was “bad and dirty breeding” in him.

The main witness in the trial of two brothers accused of murdering a Co Offaly farmer, has told the Central Criminal Court that he was “afraid” and “terrified” of the two accused.

The main witness in the trial of two brothers accused of murdering a Co Offaly farmer has told the Central Criminal Court today that they “turned on” the deceased after they “invited” him onto their land to get his heifer.

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