Killers refused appeal to Lords

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6126302.stm

Version 0 of 1.

A Fermanagh woman and her former lover convicted of murdering her husband have been refused leave to take their case to the House of Lords.

Julie McGinley, 35, and Michael Monaghan, 48, are both serving at least 15-years for murdering Gerry McGinley.

His remains were found in the Republic months after he vanished in 2000.

Three appeal judges ruled no point of law of general public importance arose from their convictions and there was nothing for the Law Lords to consider.

They also lifted a ban on the publication of a judgement last month when they dismissed McGinley and Monaghan's appeals against conviction.

Lord Justice Nicholson said Mrs McGinley, a mother-of-two, had the most powerful motive for killing her husband or arranging for him to be killed.

She stood to get £310,000 insurance money and would also benefit from the sale of the family home at Ballinamallard.

She did not give evidence at her trial but did go into the witness box during her appeal and blamed Michael Monaghan.

Mr McGinley's body was found in a shallow grave in County Leitrim 10 months after his disappearance in August 2000.

The murdered man's father, Gerry McGinley snr, said outside the court: "Believe it or not, I have pity for the people who did such an act. I can't forgive them but she brought an awful lot of heartache to our house."