Convicted killer Eamonn Lillis has come to an agreement, the terms of which are confidential, with the representatives of his late wife's estate in relation to joint assets held by the couple, the High Court heard today.
Last month the High Court ruled that under existing law Lillis is entitled to his half-interest in assets jointly owned by himself and his late wife Celine Cawley, including the couple’s family home in Howth.
The couple's daughter Georgia Lillis and Ms Cawley’s sister Susanna and brother Christopher, as joint executors of Ms Cawley’s estate brought High Court proceedings aimed at preventing Lillis (53) securing any interest in assets jointly owned by himself and Ms Cawley.
The order against Lillis was sought over his conviction for the manslaughter of his wife at their home in Howth in December 2008, for which he is serving a sentence of six years and 11 months.
However in her ruling today, Ms Justice Mary Laffoy said she could not conclude Lillis’s share in the joint assets was automatically severed on the death of Ms Cawley, and ruled he was entitled to his share of those assets, but he must hold one half of them in trust for the estate of Ms Cawley.
The Judge had urged the parties to try and reach an agreement in relation to the assets. If one could not be achieved there would have to be further court proceedings, resolution of the issues would be delayed and further costs would mount up, she said.
The case had been adjourned to today to see whether a resolution could be achieved.
Today Brian Spierin SC for the Cawley family and Georgia Lillis told Ms Justice Laffoy that "considerable progress" had been made between the parties since last months ruling, and that an agreement had been reached. No details of the agreement were revealed in open court, and the terms of that compromise are confidential.
Séamas Ó Tuathail SC for Lillis said his client was consenting to the agreement. The judge adjourned the matter to a date next month when the costs of the action is to be determined.
The assets, in addition to the family home, valued at up to €800,000, include an apartment in Sutton with an estimated value of €190,000-€200,000 and several investments worth some €68,000. Another property in France is the subject of separate legal proceedings yet to come before a French court.
Lillis, who was not in court today, is legally prevented from inheriting any of his wife’s assets because he was convicted of killing her. While defending his share of the jointly owned assets, Lillis did not assert any claim over his late wife’s interest in the joint assets.