One of two Co Laois brothers accused of murdering a neighbouring farmer has been acquitted.
Jason Byrne, 33, had denied the murder of Edward Dempsey in October 2007.
His brother, Daniel Joseph Byrne, is also on trial for murder. The jury will resume deliberating on that charge tomorrow.
Cattle dealer Edward Dempsey, 49, died ten months after a row on the Byrne family farm at Hammer Lane, Borness, Co Laois, in December 2006.
Daniel Joseph Byrne, 39, admits hitting him, but said he was 'purely defending' himself after Mr Dempsey had forced his way into his yard during a dispute over a straying heifer.
Mr Byrne said he was in the yard at the time but played no part in the dispute and did not strike the victim.
The prosecution claimed the brothers engaged in a joint enterprise and had planned to lure Mr Dempsey into the yard and isolate him and beat him up.
