The jury in the murder trial of Barefield man Joe Heffernan will enter their third day of deliberations today.
The seven women and five men have were sent home again last evening having spent almost five hours considering their verdict in the case in which the 33 year old farmer has pleaded Not Guilty to the murder of Ennis student Eoin Ryan.
Judge Patrick McCarthy has told them they can find Joe Heffernan Guilty of Murder or Manslaughter, or Guilty of manslaughter by reason of Diminished responsibility due if they are satisfied he was suffering from a mental disorder – but they do not have the option of acquittal.
The body of 21 year old Eoin Ryan from Newhall was found at Cappabeg, Barefield on June 7th, 2011, and the jury at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin heard the 33 year old accused admitted to Gardaí and others that "he killed a man".
