Wicklow farmer Cecil Tomkins has been sentenced to life in prison having been convicted by a jury last month of the murder of his brother.
The 63 year old, who is now wheelchair bound from Parkinson’s Syndrome, shot Walter Tomkins at their farmhouse in Cronlea, Shillelagh on July 1st 2010 following a row over their mother’s burial
The Central Criminal Court has refused bail ahead of a possible appeal arguing it would be inappropriate for the court to grant the application.
His legal team had claimed that Cecil Tomkins is not a flight risk and requires almost round the clock care at the nursing home where he’s resided for the last 18 months.
The prosecution argued that his medical needs are a compassionate matter within the jurisdiction of the prison service, who if they’re minded can grant temporary release.
