Murder victim 'was writing letters to man in England'

The trial of a man accused of murdering his wife in Castleknock in August 2007 has heard that problems in their marriage began in June of that year and that she had been writing letters to a man in England.

David Bourke (aged 49) has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Jean Gilbert (aged 46) at their home at Laverna Dale, Castleknock, Co Dublin on August 28, 2007.

Robert Gilbert, brother of the deceased woman, told the court that Mr Bourke and his sister had been married for 12 years.

He said that until June 2007 he was not aware of any problems in their marital relationship.

He said that Mr Bourke went to his – the Gilberts’ - parents’ house at 7.45am on June 19 that year.

Mr Gilbert said that he went to the house and spoke with Mr Bourke and that Mr Bourke said that his wife had told him a few days beforehand that she wanted to separate.

Mr Bourke told Mr Gilbert that his wife had told him this the previous Friday in the pub.

Ms Gilbert had also told her husband about a person living in England who she had been writing to.

Mr Gilbert told that court that in the first quarter of 2007 his sister Jean had started contact with a man in England.

He said that his family had a meeting the day after Mr Bourke called to the house and that he kept in regular contact with his sister thereafter.

The trial continues.