A VERDICT is expected next Tuesday in the trial of two Dublin men accused of the murder of a Tipperary farmer last year.
Three prosecution witnesses summoned to attend the trial failed to appear in the Central Criminal Court yesterday, when Mr Kenneth Mills SC, for the prosecution, concluded the State's evidence.
Mr Ivor Sweetman (46), Bawnlea Green, Jobstown, Tallaght and Mr Francis Palmer (26), Foxborough Road, Lucan, Co Dublin, have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Danny Fanning (71) at his home in Stephenstown, Rosegreen, Cashel, Co Tipperary, on February 6th, 1996.
Mr Justice Moriarty told the jury closing speeches by prosecution and defence counsels would begin on Monday and he would sum up the evidence on Tuesday morning.
Yesterday morning the prosecution called three witnesses who had been referred to several times in the course of the trial. All three failed to appear.
Mr Justice Moriarty adjourned the court until the afternoon to allow time for the witnesses - the partner and brother of the defendant, Mr Francis Palmer, and the partner of Mr Ivor Sweetman - to present themselves. But they failed to appear.
Following legal argument the jury was discharged for the weekend.