Convicted murderer Catherine Nevin has said she would welcome the opportunity to give evidence, in a civil action, that she did not have anything to do with the killing of her husband, Tom Nevin, the High Court heard yesterday.
Nevin will take that opportunity only if the court rules that transcripts of her criminal trial, and evidence of her conviction, are admissible in civil proceedings, when she insists they are not, the court heard.
Two of Mr Nevin’s siblings asked the court to rule that such evidence is admissible in their civil action, which is aimed at fully disinheriting her and seeking damages for wrongful death.
Counsel for Patrick Nevin and Margaret Lavelle, brother and sister of Mr Nevin, said yesterday it would be illogical and an abuse of process if the conviction could not be used in a civil action.
Nevin (61), who always denied any involvement in the murder of her husband, disputes their claim.
Mr Justice Roderick Murphy said he hoped to give a ruling on the preliminary application early in the new year.
Nevin was convicted in 2002 of murdering Tom Nevin at the couple’s pub, Jack White’s Inn, near Brittas Bay, Co Wicklow, on March 19th, 1996.