Collins loses appeal in 'lyingeyes' case

Sharon Collins has lost her appeal against her convictions for soliciting a man to murder her wealthy lover PJ Howard and his two sons.

The 47-year-old from Kildysart, Ennis, Co Clare was in court for the ruling this afternoon.

Wearing black trousers and a grey jacket, Sharon Collins appeared in court for barely a minute to hear the three-judge court dismiss her appeal.

She was convicted in 2008 of soliciting so-called internet hitman for hire Essam Eid to murder her lover PJ Howard and his two sons.

The trial heard she used the online alias 'lyingeyes' in emails to Eid who was not a hitman but a Las Vegas poker dealer come con man.

The court has rejected her lawyer's claim that the trial judge failed to properly direct the jury before sending them out to deliberate on their verdicts.

Ms Collins will now return to Mountjoy to serve out her six-year sentence and it is expected she will be released at the end of next year.