A 61-year-old woman has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of murdering her husband at their Westmeath home 23 years ago.
Vera McGrath pleaded not guilty to murdering 43-year-old Bernard Brian McGrath in Lower Coole between March 10th and April 18th, 1987. She admitted hitting him once during the killing and being involved in the burial, digging up, burning, chopping and reburial of his body.
On Friday, the Central Criminal Court jury found her former son-in-law guilty of Mr McGrath's manslaughter but cleared him of murder. Colin Pinder (47) of Liverpool, England had admitted killing his fiancée's father but denied murder.
The eight men and three women of the jury reached a unanimous verdict in relation to Pinder on Friday after four hours and five minutes deliberating.
They deliberated for another five hours today on the 27th day of the trial before reaching a majority verdict of 10 to one in relation to Vera McGrath.
The trial lasted a fortnight longer than the three weeks expected, with one juror having to be discharged half way through due to previous commitments.
Present for the verdict was one of McGrath's sons and her daughter, who was instrumental in her conviction. Vera McGrath shook and her partner, Michael Gavin, cried as the judge handed down the mandatory life sentence.
Her co-accused, Colin Pinder, will be sentenced on November 1st.