EAMONN LILLIS, who is in prison for the manslaughter of his wife Celine Cawley, has reached agreement with the representatives of his late wife’s estate concerning the joint assets which had been held by the couple, the High Court was told yesterday.
Yesterday, Brian Spierin SC, for the Cawley family and Georgia Lillis, told Ms Justice Laffoy that “considerable progress” had been made between the parties since last month’s ruling and an agreement had been reached.
No details of the agreement were revealed in open court and it is understood the terms are confidential.
Séamas Ó Tuathail SC, for Lillis, said his client was consenting to the agreement.
The judge adjourned the matter to a date next month when the costs of the action are to be determined.
The assets, in addition to the family home, valued at up to €800,000, include an apartment in Sutton with an estimated value of €190,000-€200,000 and several investments worth some €68,000. Another property in France is the subject of separate legal proceedings yet to come before a French court.
Lillis, who was not in court, is legally prevented from inheriting any of his wife’s assets because he was convicted of killing her. While defending his share of the jointly owned assets, he did not assert any claim over his late wife’s interest in the joint assets.
Ms Justice Mary Laffoy had ruled last month, under existing law, that Lillis is entitled to his half-interest in assets which had been jointly owned by himself and Ms Cawley.
She made that ruling in proceedings where the couple’s daughter Georgia Lillis, together with Ms Cawley’s sister Susanna and brother Christopher, as joint executors of Ms Cawley’s estate, had sought to prevent Lillis (53) securing any interest in assets jointly owned.
The order against Lillis was sought over his conviction for the manslaughter of his wife at their home in Howth in December 2008. He is serving a sentence of six years and 11 months.
In her ruling, Ms Justice Laffoy said she could not conclude Lillis’s share in the joint assets was automatically severed on his wife’s death. The judge ruled he was entitled to his share of those assets.
The judge also urged the parties to try and reach an agreement. The case was adjourned to yesterday to see whether a resolution could be achieved.