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Courts
Farmer acquitted of Co Laois murder
Two brothers are standing trial over the killing of another farmer in Laois.
ONE OF TWO brothers accused of murdering a neighbour has been acquitted, RTÉ reports.
Jason Byrne, 33, was acquitted of the murder of Edward Dempsey in October 2007.
Tomorrow, the jury will deliberate on the same charge levelled against his brother, 39-year-old Daniel Joseph Byrne.
Edward Dempsey, a 49-year-old cattle dealer, died 10 months after an incident on the Byrne family farm at Hammer Lane, Borness, Co Laois, in December 2006.
Daniel Joseph Byrne admits hitting Dempsey, but says it was in self-defence.
Jason Byrne told the court that while he was in the yard at the time of the dispute he did not strike the victim.
However, the prosecution claims that the brothers had plotted to lure Dempsey onto their land in order to attack him.
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