Jury in McGrath murder trial sent home

The jury in a cold-case murder trial was sent home from the Central Criminal Court yesterday so lawyers could conduct legal argument…

The jury in a cold-case murder trial was sent home from the Central Criminal Court yesterday so lawyers could conduct legal argument in its absence.

It was day five in the trial of a widow and her former son- in-law, who are on trial for the murder of her husband 23 years ago.

Vera McGrath (61) has pleaded not guilty to murdering Bernard Brian McGrath (43) at their home in Lower Coole, Westmeath.

Colin Pinder (47) of Liverpool, England, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter between March 10th and April 18th, 1987.

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The chief prosecution witness is Ms McGrath’s daughter and Mr Pinder’s former wife, who says she saw the defendants bury her father in a shallow grave after beating him to death.

The trial will continue on Monday.