Murder accused looked 'vicious', court hears
The trial of two brothers accused of murdering a farmer in a dispute over a heifer, has heard one of the brothers looked “vicious” and “mad to do something” before inviting the now deceased man onto his land.
The jury in the case was hearing evidence from Thomas Gorman, a 24-year-old farmhand who worked for the dead man, Edward Dempsey, and was with him during the alleged assault in December 2006.
Mr Gorman went with “Eddie” Dempsey and his brother John Dempsey in their jeep to the Byrne's farm at Hammer Lane in Co Laois on December 18, 2006 to get back a heifer that had strayed on to the Byrne's land.
The witness said the two Byrne brothers, Daniel-Joseph and Jason, were standing in their yard when they arrived and invited them to come in and get the heifer.
Mr Gorman said he was frightened because “DJ” Byrne looked vicious and like he was “mad to do something”.
Once Eddie walked into the yard, the witness said the gate was slammed shut behind him and the two brothers began to beat him.
“DJ” and Jason Byrne, both of Hammer Lane, Borness, Mountmellick in Co Laois, have denied the murder of Eddie Dempsey, a 49-year-old neighbouring farmer and a father of two.
