Re-trial for man convicted of wife's murder

The Court of Criminal Appeal has set aside the conviction and ordered the re-trial of a South African man jailed for the murder of his Irish born wife at their home in Co Meath shortly before Christmas 2004.

In May 2006 Anton Mulder, Maelduin, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of murdering his Irish-born wife, Colleen Suzanne Mulder, at house they had rented on the morning of December 17, 2004.

Following the verdict Mr Justice Philip O'Sullivan imposed the mandatory life sentence on Mr Mulder.

Mrs Mulder, a native of Bangor in Co Down, was found dead in an upstairs bedroom of the house, in her pyjamas. Mr Mulder (aged 45), an Afrikaner from Durban in South Africa, denied murdering his wife.

Yesterday the three judge CCA, Mr Justice Hugh Geoghegan presiding, sitting with Mr Justice Liam McKechnie and Ms Justice Maureen Clark set aside that conviction and ordered a re-trial.

Mr Justice Geoghegan said that the court would issue the reasons for its decision at a later date.