Husband remanded in custody over wife's murder

The husband of one of Ireland’s top advertising executives was remanded in custody today after being charged with her murder a week ago.

Eamonn Lillis is accused of killing his wife Celine Cawley at their home in the exclusive north Dublin suburb of the hill of Howth last Monday.

The mother-of-one had been beaten about the head with a brick and was found lying on the back garden patio with severe injuries.

She died an hour later in hospital.

Lillis was arrested early on Saturday five days into the investigation and, after less than 24 hours questioning, he was charged yesterday with murdering his wife.

Dressed in a grey tracksuit top and holding a book, Lillis did not speak during the minute long hearing at Dublin District Court.

Lillis, aged 51, was ordered into custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court tomorrow when a second remand hearing will be held to decide whether he will be kept in jail over Christmas and the New Year.

The court was told Detective Sergeant Gary Kelly from Howth Garda Station arrested Lillis in the area on Saturday morning.

The accused was held overnight at Clontarf Garda Station where he was charged at 7.15am on Sunday morning before being moved to the Bridewell Garda Station and courthouse in Dublin’s city centre.

Det Sgt Kelly told the court that when charged Lillis replied: “Nothing to say.”

With grey hair and appearing dishevelled Lillis stood looking down at the floor for most of the short hearing.

He did not speak.

Lillis’s solicitor Daire Robinson told the packed courtroom he was not making any applications for bail but requested some time to see his client in private.

Judge John Coughlan remanded Lillis in custody for 24 hours.