A sitting of the Central Criminal Court in Tralee has heard how a man pleaded with one of his alleged killers before he died.

The body of Bruno Lemes De Sousa, from Gort in Co Galway, was discovered on March 11th last year in Shronowen Bog, Tullamore in Listowel.

20-year-old John-Paul Cawley and 29-year-old Wenio Rodriguez Da Silva - both with an address at 2 Ardoughter, Ballyduff, Co. Kerry - are accused of murdering the 28-year-old on a date unknown between February 16th and March 10th last year.

Mr. Cawley's brother Charlie told the court he saw Wenio hitting Bruno with a wheelbrace in the laundry room in Ardoughter. He then brought his sister's children, who were upset by the screams of Bruno, upstairs.

Charlie said Wenio told him to stay with Bruno who was tied up in the attic. He said Bruno had a gash on his head and was bleeding heavily. He said Bruno kept saying "Wenio, Wenio, Wenio, please".

Earlier, Sandra Cawley told the court how she along with her children, her two brothers, Wenio and Bruno travelled to the bog in two cars later on. She said Wenio and John-Paul led Bruno, who looked like he was struggling, into the bog.

When they returned without Bruno and Ms Cawley claimed Wenio told her "Don't worry, he's dead".

John Paul told his sister he had stabbed Bruno. She was frightened of Wenio - her partner at the time - and claimed he told her he would take the children and she would never see them again. He had asked her to change her statement a number of times.

Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder. However John-Paul Cawley pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

The case continues.