Day of legal argument in murder trial

There has been a day of legal argument in the absence of the jury at the trial of a man accused of murdering an 83-year old pensioner in Westmeath last year.

Noel Cawley (aged 47), of no fixed abode, but with a previous address in Castleblaney, Co Monaghan, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Christy Hanley at his home on Bridge St, Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath, on May 21 last year.

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

It is the prosecution's case that Mr Cawley tied Mr Hanley up, robbed him and beat him to death.

The trial will resume this tomorrow morning.