Siobhán Kearney was initiating separation proceedings at the time of her death against her husband, who is on trial for her murder, the Central Criminal Court heard yesterday.
Mr Kearney has pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife on February 28th, 2006. Ms Kearney (38) was found strangled in her bedroom.
The Central Criminal Court heard details yesterday of correspondence sent on behalf of Ms Kearney to her husband and his solicitors regarding a separation.
Hugh Hannigan, a solicitor specialising in family law, told Denis Vaughan Buckley SC, prosecuting, that he first had contact with Ms Kearney in September 2005. He said Ms Kearney called him, seeking legal advice.
He informed Ms Kearney of the possibility of seeking counselling and reconciliation services but she said she wished to proceed with a separation.
Mr Hannigan said that he did not hold a file on Ms Kearney in December 2005 but that he was contacted by Ms Kearney's sister Brighid McLaughlin in early 2006 and a meeting was arranged with Ms Kearney for January 23rd.
He said he drew Ms Kearney's attention to the counselling and reconciliation services she could avail of at the meeting but that she was satisfied to proceed with the separation.
Mr Hannigan said he sent his initial letter to Mr Kearney on January 26th, which stated that Ms Kearney had sought his advice with a view to obtaining a separation and that she wanted "to proceed on an amicable basis".
He received no reply and was subsequently instructed by Ms Kearney to write further letters to her husband. A letter sent on February 3rd, 2006, stated that Ms Kearney was not in agreement with the letting of a property adjacent to their home.
Earlier, the jury heard from auctioneer Siobhán Lynam, who said Mr Kearney approached her in January 2006 about letting a house adjacent to the family home. Ms Lynam said she viewed the house on January 27th and agreed a rent price with Mr Kearney. She added that he told her not to put up a sign outside the house advertising its availability for rent.
Mr Vaughan Buckley read from a third letter sent by Mr Hannigan to Mr Kearney.
Dated February 14th, the letter stated that Ms Kearney was "disappointed" that no reply had yet been received and that if one was not received within seven days, Mr Hannigan would have "no choice" but to advise Ms Kearney to initiate separation proceedings.