THE TRIAL of Mr Pat Gillane, who is charged with soliciting two men to murder his wife, is due to open in Galway today.
Mr Gillane (34), a farmer from Glenbrack, Gort, Co Galway, denies the charge. Philomena Gillane's body was discovered in the boot of her car near Athlone railway station on May 18th, 1994. Seven months pregnant, she had been shot in the back and stabbed.
Ms Gillane (41) was last seen the previous week when she was due to travel to a Dublin hospital where she worked as a cook. No one has been charged with the killing, nor has a murder weapon been found. The case was due to open last week at Galway Circuit Criminal Court but was adjourned by consent until today. Mr Gillane has been on bail pending the trial.