Mistress cast into the national spotlight

FOR someone cast unwillingly in the national spotlight in spectacular and tragic circumstances, Jean Treacy presented a calm, self-assured appearance as she gave evidence at the Eamonn Lillis murder trial.

Silence descended on the packed courtroom as the beauty therapist was called to the witness box in anticipation of hearing from the young woman who began an affair with the TV advertising director in the weeks before his wife, Celine Cawley, was killed at their family home in Howth in December 2008.

For over two hours yesterday before the pretty brunette began giving evidence at the trial of her former lover, members of the public had started arriving in Court 19 to ensure they got a ringside seat for what promised to be raw, tense drama.