Bachelor farmer, Thomas Doherty (93), had promised his nephew, Damien Quane, that his 145-acre holding at Home Farm, Elton, Knocklong, Co Limerick, would go to him when he died, it is claimed.

Seven men, aged between 32 and 55, are on trial in relation to a combined total of 103 charges against them.

The 23-year-old man was 21 when he sexually assaulted the then 15-year-old girl after waking her in the night when she was staying in the family home of her grandmother.

Ms Justice Melanie Greally said the court has a duty to make sure there is a fair trial.