The jury in the trial of a woman accused of murdering an elderly man in Dublin have been told they can also consider a manslaughter verdict.

Sabrina Cummins of Ringsend Park, Dublin 4 admits punching and kicking the 63-year-old, but denies his murder.

Thomas Horan’s body was found curled up on the ground between the bed and locker of his bedsit at Cambridge Court in Ringsend, Dublin 4 on Jan 6th last year.

He’d suffered blows to the head and 14 of his ribs were broken. He died from asphyxia due to neck and chest injuries.

Despite initially denying murder, Kenneth Cummins changed his plea to guilty yesterday, leaving the jury to consider his older sister’s case on its own.

Sabrina Cummins admits punching and kicking the 63-year-old, a man she described as “like a Dad to her”, but denies murdering him.

Today, Mr, Justice Tony Hunt told the jurors they had three options. They could acquit the 37-year-old, find her guilty of murder or convict her of the lesser charge of manslaughter.

They will begin their deliberations in the morning.