Richard Cooper junior (40) told the High Court claims that he had put bachelor Michael Buckley "to the ground" were untrue because "it never happened". He rejected claims by his cousin Bobby Buckley who, the court heard, will say Michael told him about the alleged altercation. While he worked as a seasonal contractor to other farms in the area, he continued to work with his uncle on his farm. Under cross examination by Michael Counihan SC for the four Buckley siblings, he said the only arguments he ever had with his uncle Michael were verbal. Michael's sister Sheila Cooper, Richard's mother, told the court her late brother was very private and "his own man".

Source: Irish Examiner January 25, 2019 17:15 UTC