A solicitor has expressed fears that a woman who appeared before court charged with murdering her husband 22 years ago may not get a fair trial.
Ms Vera McGrath was arrested by Gardaí at her home at Coole, Lower Coole in Westmeath at 8.10am on Monday May 13, Detective Inspector Martin Cadden told Longford District Court. She was later charged with murdering Brian McGrath at that address on a date between March 16 and April 18 1987.
She had nothing to say when cautioned and no bail application was made on her behalf. Legal aid was deferred.
Paul Moore told the court his client had been subject to “grossly irresponsible press coverage” prior to being charged, “including absolutely definitive statements that she was guilty of the offence that she is now charged with”.
He said the nature of the publications was such that “one wonders if she can get a fair trial.”
Mr Moore said every person is presumed innocent until found guilty by a jury of their peers and said: “The place for adjudication is before a court of law, not in a newspaper”.
He said he was sure Judge John Neilan would agree with him and added that he was making the statement before the court in the hope that “less responsible elements of the press would refrain and allow due process to proceed.”
Judge Neilan concurred with Mr Moore’s statements and said caveats had been issued to the press by a number of courts and by Mr Justice Adrian Hardiman, but these had “fallen on deaf ears”.
He wished to emphasise that the 60-year-old is innocent until proven guilty and remanded her to Mountjoy Women’s Prison to appear before Longford District Court on May 19.
Ms McGrath said nothing during the hearing and was removed from the courthouse through a back exit at the suggestion of Judge John Neilan, who asked if she would like to use a “protected exit” that would keep her from media glare.
She is the second person to be charged with the murder of the 43-year-old Westmeath man who went missing from his home in 1987. His body was found six years later on grounds near his home.
Colin Pinder (46 ), 38 Lorne Street, Liverpool 7, Liverpool, England had his case adjourned at Mullingar District Court in April because “ongoing investigations regarding other suspects” were being considered by the DPP.
He had been charged on February 5 at Dublin Airport and is currently on High Court bail to appear before Judge Neilan at Mullingar District Court on June 18.
Investigations into the “cold case” are being led by the Serious Crime Review team in conjunction with local Gardaí and experts.
