Niece of accused tell jury that farmer was angry after burial row

The niece of a 63-year-old Wicklow farmer has told his murder trial today that he was very angry about his mother's burial in the local cemetery.

Cecil Tomkins is accused of shooting his older brother Walter during a row at their farmhouse in Cronlea, Shillelagh, Co Wicklow on July 1, 2010.

Cecil Tomkins was arrested and taken into custody on the evening of his brother's shooting.

The jury has heard that he told a garda that he had shot Walter in the hallway because he had ignored their mother's request to be buried in Gorey.

Carol Tomkins gave evidence today that her grandmother had left a letter outlining her wishes and that, on the day before the killing, Cecil was very angry that Bella had been buried in the local cemetery.

She said she was shocked when she heard Cecil had shot Walter, adding that if it had been the other way around she would not have been as shocked.

Cecil Tomkins, who is now in a wheelchair due to Parkinson's disease, has been described as very quiet.