Suspected wife killer to face trial

WIFE murder suspect Eamonn Lillis will go to trial over the killing of advertising producer Celine Cawley, it emerged yesterday.

A solicitor for the television producer told a Dublin court the case would proceed to trial.

Lillis, 51, who was released from custody on Monday, appeared briefly before Cloverhill District Court where he was remanded on continuing bail for three months.

Solicitor Dara Robinson told Judge Brian Sheridan both the defence and prosecution lawyers had consented to put back the case until March 10. “This is a matter that will go to trial,” said Mr Robinson.

Ms Cawley, 46, was found unconscious on the patio of the couple’s north Co Dublin home on the morning of December 15. The mother-of-one died later in hospital.

Her husband, who told investigating officers he had seen a masked intruder run from the property, was charged with her murder a week later.

Yesterday Lillis, 51, was released from Cloverhill Prison after raising funds to meet strict High Court bail terms which were set on December 30.

He was eventually freed on his own bond of €150,000 and an independent surety of €50,000.

The Dubliner lodged €75,000 of the bond with the courts, while the surety was put up by his friend Gerard Kennedy.

Yesterday Mr Robinson asked his client be remanded on continuing bail until the case is listed again in Bridewell District Court in March.

Under the terms of his bail, he must reside at the family home Rowan Hill, Windgate, Howth, and sign on daily at the local Garda station between 9am and 9pm. Having already surrendered his passport, he must also give an undertaking not to apply for a new one.

Meanwhile, a manaccused of stabbing to death Dublin mother Rebecca Hoban in a homeless shelter in Ranelagh was remanded in custody for four weeks during the same court sitting at Cloverhill. Clive Butcher, a 43-year-old British national, will reappear before the court on February 3.