DNA samples taken from a man accused of murdering an 18-month-old infant matched that of the infant, a forensic expert told a murder trial jury 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.

An ex-Irish Army Ranger and former sanctions inspector in Iraq stabbed to death an 18-month-old infant by slashing the baby's neck so forcefully that it cut into the cervical bone, it was alleged in the Central Criminal Court today.