The Supreme Court has reserved judgment on an appeal by a Dublin woman against a High Court order directing her to attend and give evidence at an inquest on the shooting dead of her husband at his birthday party four years ago.
A jury was sworn at Dublin City Coroner's Court last October for an inquest into the death of Mr Gerard Lee but the inquest could not proceed when his widow, Ms Linda Lee, failed to turn up.
Mr Lee (31), Seabury Park, Malahide, Co Dublin, was shot dead at a birthday party in his honour in Coolock, Dublin, on March 9th, 1996.
In the High Court, Ms Lee said she was "embarrassed" to answer the coroner's summons. She also claimed the summons had "no force" and was statute barred.
Lawyers for the Attorney General submitted that Ms Lee was a vital witness and that the inquest could not be concluded until she gave her evidence.
The High Court directed she attend and give evidence.
A five-judge Supreme Court heard Ms Lee's appeal against that decision yesterday and reserved its decision.