Action to disinherit Nevin will be reactivated

The failure of Catherine Nevin to have her conviction for the murder of her husband overturned clears the way for the Nevin family to reactivate High Court proceedings aimed at stripping her of her wealth.

The High Court is expected to hear a case before the end of the year brought by seven of Tom Nevin's siblings. If the action is successful it will disinherit Catherine Nevin from Tom Nevin's estate. But the Nevin family also intends to sue Catherine Nevin, seeking damages for the loss of their brother.

The size of any payment under the second element of the High Court action would be left to the discretion of the trial judge. But Nevin may well be left with nothing.

When Tom Nevin was murdered in 1996 his mother, Nora, began the action, which has now been reactivated. After the murder it was agreed that Tom Nevin's estate would be frozen until the charges against Catherine Nevin were fully disposed of.

Less than two years after the murder of her husband, Catherine Nevin sold the couple's pub, Jack White's Inn, Brittas, Co Wicklow, for £620,000. She jointly owned the pub with her husband. The couple also owned two houses in Dublin. It is understood those houses have not been sold.

Mrs Nora Nevin is now deceased but Tom Nevin's seven siblings will ask the High Court to disinherit Catherine Nevin on the basis that no person should profit from a death which they caused or organised, as in this case.

It is unlikely that any court would rule in Catherine Nevin's favour following the failure of her appeal against her murder conviction. The only question remaining is whether a judge will relieve her of her wealth.