Focus on transfer of pub licence

The inquiry into the transfer of the licence for Jack White's Inn into Catherine Nevin's name resumed yesterday at King's Inns, Dublin, after the summer break.

This was the fourth day of evidence in the O Buachalla inquiry, which is being chaired by Mr Justice Frank Murphy of the Supreme Court.

The terms of reference said the inquiry would "inquire into the conduct of District Judge Donnchadh O Buachalla in relation to the propriety of his handling of the licensing of the premises known as Jack White's Inn, having regard to his acquaintance with its licensee, Mrs Catherine Nevin, and in relation to the discharge of judicial functions in cases involving two gardai against whom complaints have been made by Catherine Nevin".

Mr Tom Nevin was murdered in March 1996 and his wife Catherine Nevin was found guilty of the murder last April. She is serving a life sentence.

At the centre of the inquiry is a meeting in Judge O Buachalla's chambers in Wexford town on September 29th, 1997.

At that meeting, Judge O Buachalla signed an order which resulted in the licence for Jack White's Inn in Co Wicklow, being transferred from Catherine and Tom Nevin's name to Catherine Nevin's name.

Judge O Buachalla has defended his actions and has said he acted in an honest, logical and responsible manner.