Jury to begin deliberations

THE jury in the case of two brothers on trial for murdering a 49-year-old farmer in a dispute over a stray heifer, is expected to begin its deliberations when the trial resumes next Tuesday.

The presiding trial judge, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, yesterday delivered a three-and-a-half hour charge to the jury, following over two weeks of evidence in the case of Daniel-Joseph and Jason Byrne, at the Central Criminal Court.

The brothers, aged 39 and 33, and both of Hammer Lane, Borness in Co Laois, have denied murdering Edward Dempsey, a neighbouring cattle farmer, on October 11, 2007.