Nevin begins murder appeal today
Catherine Nevin, jailed for life for the murder of her husband, was beginning an appeal against her sentence today.
Nevin, aged 52, was jailed in April 2000 after she was found guilty of murder and soliciting three men to murder her husband Thomas, a pub landlord.
Mr Nevin died at the end of St Patrick’s weekend celebrations in 1996 at Jack White’s Inn, the Co Wicklow pub the couple ran together.
He was shot dead as he counted the takings from the weekend in what the prosecution later called a botched robbery designed to conceal a contract killing carried out at the behest of his wife.
Nevin insisted during her prolonged appearance in the witness box that her 20-year marriage to husband had been happy.
However people who worked for the Nevins offered a different portrait of their union, claiming there was never any sign of affection and that she had had two extra-marital affairs.
Nevin also claimed during the trial that her husband had been a long-time member of the IRA and spent three nights a week on activities linked with the terrorist organisation.
Today Nevin – who has maintained her innocence during her time at Mountjoy Prison – was beginning her appeal at Dublin’s Court of Criminal Appeal.
Central to the appeal is a State document containing a list of pubs which might have connections with the IRA.
In an affidavit after the trial Nevin’s solicitor, Garrett Sheehan, said the Chief State Solicitor had informed him of a 1991 document from the Garda anti-racketeering unit which was in the possession of the Revenue.
The document had listed a number of public houses, including Jack White’s Inn, which were marked for attention in relation to any connection which the pub or its owners might have with the IRA or suspected members of the IRA.
In December 2001 the Court of Criminal Appeal directed the document should be made available for Nevin’s appeal.
Nevin was not expected to appear at the appeal, which will last around three days.
