Hi °C | Lo °C A woman charged in connection with the death of her former husband 25 years ago is to stand trial in the Central Criminal Court.
The 59-year-old woman, Philomena Coton, was yesterday served with a book of evidence and sent forward for trial.
Father-of-two Christopher Payne, who was aged 38, was attacked at his home, at Rutland Grove, Crumlin, on May 13, 1988, by a group of men armed with a hatchet.
Mr Payne, who suffered from a chronic kidney ailment, was treated in hospital for serious head injuries but never recovered and died six months later.
On January 11 last, following her extradition from England, Mrs Coton was remanded in custody after she was charged with assault with intent to murder Mr Payne, and causing grievous bodily harm.
She had replied: "I'm innocent" after she was charged.
She was later granted bail and appeared again yesterday at Dublin District Court.
Judge Victor Blake heard that the DPP consented to Ms Coton being returned for trial to the present term of the Central Criminal Court on both charges.
The judge notified the woman, who is now living in Johnstown, Co Kildare, that if she intended to rely on an alibi in her defence she must notify the prosecution within 14 days.
The judge then made an order sending her forward for trial on both charges.
She was granted legal aid and told she must sign on at her local garda station, surrender her passport and not apply for new travel documents.
Review
Mrs Coton, who had been living in Coventry, is the second person to face charges following a review of the investigation by the garda cold case unit.
In December 2011, her daughter, 40-year-old Sharon Cullen , who now lives in Co Cavan, had also been charged with assault with intent to murder Mr Payne, and assaulting him causing grievous bodily harm.
She has brought a High Court challenge aimed at halting her trial and contends she cannot get a fair trial due to the delay in prosecuting her.
In 1989, two youths were jailed for their role in the attack.
Irish Independent
