A DISPUTE between convicted killer Eamonn Lillis and the family of his late wife, Celine Cawley, over properties owned jointly by the couple, has been adjourned at the High Court for two weeks.
Ms Cawley’s family is seeking court orders to prevent Lillis from benefiting from her will.
Lillis (53) is serving six years and 11 months for the manslaughter of his wife, whom he killed with a brick at their home in Howth, Co Dublin, in December 2008.
Ms Cawley’s sister Susanna and brother Christopher, who are joint administrators of the estate, are seeking orders providing that properties owned by the couple should transfer to their only child, who recently turned 18. Ms Cawley left more than €1 million to be inherited by their daughter.
Lillis is already entitled to €353,508 following the liquidation of TV production firm Toytown Films Ltd, which was founded by Ms Cawley. Toytown was put in voluntary liquidation after her death and had a balance of €707,016 when creditors were paid off. As a joint shareholder, Lillis was entitled to half that sum with the remainder going to her estate. He is legally prevented from inheriting any of his wife’s assets because of his conviction but he says he is in any event entitled to half of the properties they jointly owned.
The properties include the family home in Howth, worth an estimated €1.5 million, an apartment in Sutton, Co Dublin, and a holiday home in France.