Offaly farmer describes finding body of shooting victim

An Offaly farmer has today told a court how he found the body of Dublin man Paul Ryan, who was shot dead in Birr nine years ago.

The farmer described finding the body lying in front of a gateway.

The accused in the case, Darren Byrne of no fixed abode, but originally from Raheny, denies murdering the 27-year-old in April 2003.

It is alleged Mr Byrne shot Mr Ryan in the back of the head as he stood urinating.

It is claimed that Mr Byrne had parked the car in the Offaly countryside having driven there from Dublin with a third man.

The prosecution said that the 27-year-old died on a lonely road.

Opening the case, senior counsel Patrick Gageby said the background will become clear but he contends that Mr Ryan would have believed he was safe in the company of these two men.

However, it is alleged that he had dealings with Mr Byrne, who goes by the nickname 'Fats' and that Mr Byrne had suspicions about Ryan.