A man has applied to the Central Criminal Court to withdraw his guilty plea for the murder of an elderly man at a senior citizens’ complex in Dublin.

Kenneth Cummins of Ringsend Park, Dublin 4 made the application just before his sister Sabrina was jailed for life.

Thomas Horan (63) was a “very nice man who always made sure I had food. He was like a Dad to me”, according to Sabrina Cummins when she gave evidence during her trial.

Today, the 37-year-old was jailed for life for his murder.

The court heard she went to his bedsit with her younger brother Kenneth looking for money in the early hours of January 6th last year.

He was severely beaten, had a rope placed around his neck, a bag placed over his head and they also tried to poison him with cleaning fluids.

In her Victim Impact Statement, Mr Horan’s ex-wife Marge said they remained close after their separation, and she feels she would not be in a nursing home if he were still alive. “I still dream about him all the time”, she said.

Last week, Kenneth Cummins changed his plea to guilty, but today his lawyer said he wanted to vacate that plea, claiming he was not in a fit state when he made it.

His application will be heard next month.

Newstalk.com's Court Correspondent Frank Greaney spoke to Lunchtime about what happened in court today: