Murder accused denies changing evidence

A Co Laois builder on trial along with his younger brother for murder, has denied under cross-examination that he fabricated his evidence that he was “purely defending” himself when he struck his neighbour.

Daniel-Joseph Byrne (aged 29) told the Central Criminal Court that a neighbouring farmer, Edward Dempsey, forced his way onto his property, pushing the gate into him “like a battering-ram” and knocking him onto the ground, in December 2006.