A Co Kildare lorry driver was jailed for life today after he admitted strangling his estranged wife at his mobile home after a day long drinking session.
Noel Coyne (44), of Station Road, Allenwood, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to the murder of his wife Mrs Carmel Coyne (38), a mother of four and native of Edenderry, Co Offaly, in Co Kildare between August 11th and 12th, 2002.
Mr Justice Paul Carney told Coyne that the penalty was mandatory and he sentenced him to life imprisonment to date from the date of his arrest on August 12th, 2002.
Sgt Edward Relihan of Kildare town, told the court that gardaí received a 999 call from Coyne who told them he had killed his wife. He gave gardaí his address and mobile phone number and they went to the scene.
Sgt Relihan said that although Coyne had consumed alcohol he was in a coherent state. Coyne pointed out a woman lying face up on the bed who was his wife.
Coyne made a full admission to gardaí in which he said that on August 11th he and his estranged wife had gone drinking in Sallins. They returned to the caravan and consumed more drink.
Coyne said there was "a bit of an argument" and Mrs Coyne left to go home. He followed her and brought her back to the caravan and they continued drinking. Mrs Coyne went to bed where Coyne strangled her. The following day he continued drinking and later reported the killing.
Sgt Relihan said Coyne was a lorry driver and that he had left the family home in Edenderry six months before the killing.