Diarmuid Phelan has pleaded not guilty to murdering Keith Conlon at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, on February 24th, 2022. Photo: Collins

The jury also heard on Tuesday afternoon that when Mr Phelan gave evidence in a 2017 case of trespassing and damage on his lands, people had made threats to kill him in the courtroom.

Further arrests are expected following the multi-million euro haul.

Last April, the fund purportedly appointed joint receivers over the lands which the court heard forms a significant part of their family farm.

The ewes were taken from a field in Claudy and comes after another theft of sheep in the area last month.