Nevin seeks free legal aid for appeal against conviction

The convicted murderer, Catherine Nevin, is seeking free legal aid from the State to support her appeal against the guilty verdict…

The convicted murderer, Catherine Nevin, is seeking free legal aid from the State to support her appeal against the guilty verdict brought in by a jury last year.

But the application to the Court of Criminal Appeal was adjourned for a month to allow time to find out whether she is entitled to any proceeds from the estate of her late husband, Thomas Nevin, who was murdered at their pub, Jack White's Inn, near Brittas Bay, Co Wicklow, on March 19th, 1996.

Mr Nevin's family already has a caveat on the estate, which essentially freezes the distribution of it pending the outcome of a civil action. The pub, which was jointly owned by Thomas and Catherine Nevin, was sold by her in November 1997 for £620,000.

The late Mr Nevin's mother, Mrs Nora Nevin, Tynagh, Loughrea, Co Galway, also deceased, initiated proceedings in 1998 claiming to have an interest in the pub. She sought a number of declarations, including one that Catherine Nevin was not entitled to any share in the pub.

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Nevin is expected to claim a share of the proceeds of her late husband's estate, but her murder conviction brings that into question.

Whether or not she obtains a share of the proceeds is expected to be taken into account in her application for legal aid.

Nevin also owns two houses in south Dublin, and her total assets could be in excess of £1 million.

During yesterday's brief hearing, Nevin was represented by her solicitor, Mr Garrett Sheehan. Nevin was not present, although her brother, Mr Vincent Scully, was in court yesterday.

The presiding judge, Ms Justice McGuinness, sitting with Mr Justice O'Sullivan and Mr Justice Finnegan, said the case would be adjourned for one month.

Nevin was jailed for life on April 11th last following a two-month trial. As well as being found guilty of murder, she was also convicted of soliciting three men to murder her husband on various dates before his fatal shooting.

The full hearing of the appeal is not expected for several months.