A 5,000-page book of evidence has been served on the five men charged with the murder of Limerick man Kieran Keane.
The massive dossier - comprising some 720 statements - was served yesterday amid tight security at Limerick District Court.
A date for the murder trial is expected to be set today when the five accused men appear before Mr Justice Carney at the Central Criminal Court, which is currently sitting in Limerick.
Appearing before Judge Tom O'Donnell at Limerick District Court yesterday were Mr James McCarthy (24) and Mr David Stanners (31), both of Pineview Gardens, Moyross, Limerick;
Mr Christopher Costelloe (20), of Moylish Avenue Ballynanty, Limerick;
Mr Anthony McCarthy (21), The Fairgreen, Limerick, and Mr Dessie Dundon (20), of Hyde Road, also in Limerick.
All five men are charged with the murder of Kieran Keane on January 29th last at Drombana - a few miles outside Limerick city - and with the attempted murder of his nephew, Mr Owen Treacy, on the same date.
All five had previously been charged with the false imprisonment of both men.
Keane's widow Ms Sophie Keane and members of her family were present in the packed courtroom for yesterday's sitting.
Armed members of the Garda Emergency Response Unit were on patrol outside the courthouse during the sitting.
There was also a heavy Garda presence in the public gallery and each of the accused men was flanked by at least five gardaí in an effort to eliminate eye contact with people in the public gallery.