Donegal: McCrea found guilty of wife's murder

A 40-year-old man accused of the murder of his estranged wife was sentenced to life today by a jury at the at Central Criminal Court.

A 40-year-old man accused of the murder of his estranged wife was sentenced to life today at the at Central Criminal Court

Mr Gary McCrea (aged 40) of Ballybulgin, Laghy, Co Donegal, had denied the murder of his wife and the mother of his four children Mrs Dolores McCrea (aged 39) of Ballintra, Co Donegal, on a date unknown between January 20 and January 22, 2004.

The State’s case was that Mr McCrea murdered his wife and then burned her body in a fire at the rear of the old family home.

The jury of nine men and three women deliberated for four hours and 37 minutes today before delivering its unanimous decision to a packed courtroom.

More to follow.