A man was sent to the cells by a judge following an angry outburst at the Central Criminal Court yesterday.
The incident happened as Anton Mulder (44), of Maelduin, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, pleaded not guilty to the murder, but guilty to the manslaughter of his wife, Colleen Suzanne Mulder, on December 17th, 2004.
The mother-of-six was found dead in the bedroom of their house at the same address.
A man, who later identified himself as the victim's brother, shouted and swore at the accused as the charge was read out. Mr Justice Paul Carney then ordered gardaí to find out who was responsible for the outburst.
William Carson Pollock (37), from Bangor, Co Down, was brought before him and said: "I apologise for shouting but he did strangle my sister to death. That's just my reaction to seeing my sister's husband that strangled her."
Mr Justice Carney sent him to the cells and he was brought back to court just before 1pm yesterday when he again apologised.
"I do apologise, I just seen him and broke down," he said. "I'm really sorry it won't happen again."
Mr Justice Carney said nobody in his situation had behaved that way in his court and added: "This is a trial in accordance with the law. It is not a show trial." He said nothing had been proved against anyone and he accepted the man's assurances that this would not happen again.
The trial, before a jury, is due to get under way today.