Murder victim 'was killed while he was asleep'

A Dublin man who was bludgeoned to death was possibly asleep at the time he was attacked, a garda ballistics expert has told a murder trial.

Detective Garda John Higgins, Garda Ballistics Section, was giving evidence in the trial of Dolores O'Neill for the murder of Declan O'Neill at their home at Coolamber Park, Knocklyon, Templeouge, Dublin on or about July 22 2002. The accused, a civil servant with the Equality Authority, denies the charge.