Man admits killing his wife

A South African man today pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his wife.

There was an outburst from the public gallery as Anton Mulder (aged 44) of Mael Duin, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, appeared before the Dublin’s Central Criminal Court.

His wife Colleen was found dead in the bedroom of her home on December 17, 2004.

Mulder pleads not guilty to her murder.

The court heard the guilty plea would not be accepted by the prosecution, and the murder trial is due to start tomorrow.

Angry family members hit out in the courtroom as Mulder entered his plea. The victim’s brother shouted: “You murdering bastard”, while others could be heard sobbing in the courtroom.

The man apologised for his outburst to Justice Paul Carney and offered to sit in the foyer but was sent to the cells and will be brought before the court later today.

In front of pending jurors who were waiting to be selected for the trial, Mrs Mulder’s brother said: “I apologise. That was my reaction to seeing my sister’s husband, who strangled her.”

Mrs Mulder, a mother of six, moved with her family from Bangor, Co Down, to Dunshaughlin 18 months prior to her death.

The victim’s brother, William Carson Pollock (aged 37), from Bangor, Co Down, later appeared before Justice Carney.

Apologising for his actions he said: “I did not mean to do that. I seen him and I broke down. That’s why I had to say what I said. I’m very sorry. It won’t happen again.”

Accepting the reassurance, Judge Carney told Mr Pollock he had never witnessed an outburst in that fashion in court before. He said nothing had been proved against anyone.

“This is a trial in accordance with the law,” he said. “It’s not a show trial. There is a blank sheet of paper as far as the law is concerned.”

Mr Pollock was told he was free to leave the court.