Wicklow farmer convicted of murdering brother

A 63-year-old Wicklow farmer has been convicted of murdering his brother who he shot in a row over their mother's burial.

Cecil Tomkins will now serve life for killing 66-year-old Walter Tomkins at their Wicklow farmhouse in Cronlea, Shillelagh on July 1, 2010.

Cecil Tomkins was too unwell to be in court and so missed this evening's verdict.

The 63-year-old is wheelchair bound and lives in a nursing home due to Parkinson's disease.

After five hours deliberations, the jury unanimously convicted him of murdering his brother.

They had heard that Cecil Tomkins agreed with gardaí that he was angry when he went to his bedroom, loaded his shotgun and killed his brother.

He said it was a spur-of-the-moment thing that he instantly regretted. He had been arguing with Walter about not adhering to the burial wishes of their recently deceased mother.

The defence had argued diminished responsibility due to his condition.

Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan said there is only one sentence he can impose, but that has been put back until March 26 so the accused can attend.