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An elderly man who was "viciously beaten to death" in his County Armagh home was hit on his head with a weapon at least 17 times, the High Court has been told.

Michael McConville, who was 74, died after he was found with serious head injuries at his home on Annaghmare Road in Crossmaglen on 15 June.

One of his Annaghmare Road neighbours, 68-year-old Malachy Quinn, is accused of murdering Mr McConville after an alleged dispute over land and farm payments.

Mr Quinn was granted bail after his defence solicitor told the judge there was not "a single scrap of evidence" linking him to the murder scene.

The murder weapon has not yet been found but the court heard the lacerations Mr McConville suffered were "in keeping with the use of a weapon such as a poker or a small hammer".

A prosecution lawyer said a pathologist's report indicated he sustained an “absolute minimum of 17 blows to the head”.

“This can only be described as a very vicious attack on an elderly and vulnerable gentleman," she added.

Mr McConville also sustained further injuries to his mouth, hands, wrists and arms.

'Never been violent in his life'

The bail hearing was told that Mr Quinn had leased land from Mr McConville for cattle and local people informed police the pair had fallen out over land and money.

During interview, Mr Quinn confirmed he had kept cattle on Mr McConville’s land but denied any dispute between them.

According to the prosecution, a bloodstained towel recovered from the accused's home forms part of the case against him.

It was alleged Mr Quinn was seen on CCTV footage approaching the victim’s home after he was last seen alive.

Objecting to bail, the prosecution said: “Police believe CCTV and forensic and witness evidence strongly connects Mr Quinn to the offence of murder."

But Mr Quinn's defence lawyer insisted his client had no motive and added that he is frail and suffers from a serious heart condition.

“He’s 5ft 6in, he weighs just under eight stone and he’s never been violent in his life," the lawyer said.

“There is not a single scrap of evidence linking this man to the murder scene… he fully cooperated with police and answered every question.”

Mr Quinn was granted bail to an address in Newry but was banned from entering Crossmaglen.

The judge also ordered cash sureties of £10,000 as part of his bail conditions.

“We cannot lose sight of the fact that a 74-year-old man was viciously beaten to death in his own house," the judge told the court.