A man has pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife at their home at in the Dublin suburb of Howth, just over a year ago.
The trial opened this morning in the new Criminal Court complex, which becomes fully operational today.
Éamon Lillis (52) denies murdering Celine Cawley on December 15th, 2008 at their home on Windgate Road,on Howth Head.
Ms Cawley (46), a mother of one, died as a result of injuries she received during an attack at the rear of the family home. A postmortem on her body concluded that she had died of head injuries consistent with being hit a number of times with a heavy object.
Four days after the discovery of Ms Cawley's body, Mr Lillis was arrested and charged with the murder. He was granted bail on December 30th, 2008, but was not released until January 5th, 2009, when he raised his own bond of €150,000 and an independent surety of €50,000.
Mary Ellen Ring SC, prosecuting, said the couple were directors of Toytown Productions, a commercial production company on Windmill Lane in Dublin City Centre. She said Ms Cawley’s siblings were solicitors or involved in advertising.
A jury was sworn in this morning to hear the trial, which is expected to last for two to three weeks.