The jury in the trial of a man accused of murdering Laois nanny Aoife Phelan has retired to consider a verdict.

Mr Corbet took the stand yesterday saying he lost control and couldn't stop gripping her around the neck before dumping her body in a barrel.

The 25 year old of Sheffield Cross, Portlaoise admitted strangling her in a row in October or November 2012 but denies her murder.

So far he has described meeting 30 year old Aoife Phelan in a Portlaoise nightclub in June 2012 in the wake of his break up with his long term girlfriend.

He told the jury they had sex one night back at his house but used a condom and so he was surprised and frightened when some weeks later Aoife text to say she was late.

The 25 year old has said he offered to accompany the nanny on her doctor visits for support but each time she would dismiss him which led to heated conversations.

He admitted that he called her a 'psycho' to his best friend because of all the baby talk.

The jury's heard 30 year old Aoife Phelan was not pregnant at the time of her death.

Robert Corbet told gardaí he strangled her during a row when she threatened to make his life hell if he walked away from her and their future child.