Hanley murder trial to begin on Thursday

The trial of the man accused of murdering 83-year old Christy Hanley in Co Westmeath last year will begin on Thursday at the Central Criminal Court.

Noel Cawley (aged 46), of no fixed abode, with a previous address in Castleblaney, Co Monaghan, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Hanley in Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath on May 21 last year.

He has also pleaded not guilty to robbing Mr Hanley of an unknown amount of money at the same place on the same date.

The trial will be heard in front of a jury of nine men and three women and is expected to take between two to three weeks.