An appeal by a Northern Ireland woman and her lover serving life sentences for murdering her husband was started today.
Enniskillen businessman Gerry McGinley (34) was murdered in August, 2000, but it was not until 10 months later that his decomposed body was found in woods near Ballinamore, Co Leitrim.
In the meantime, his wife Julie (31), a mother of two, from Windmill Drive, Enniskillen, and his former business partner Michael Monaghan (43), from Grange, Co Sligo, were charged with his murder.
They were found guilty by a jury and the trial judge, Mr Justice Kerr, ordered them to serve at least 15 years in prison.
In the Court of Appeal in Belfast today Mr Terry McDonald, QC, for Mrs McGinley, applied for a transcript of parts of the murder hearing. He said a great deal of evidence had been given at the lengthy trial and he was anxious to distill his request down to the portions of evidence bearing on the main issues.
Mr McDonald said these included the judge's charge to the jury and the evidence of Dr Marie Cassidy relating to the cause of death. "This is a case where the body was not discovered for a very considerable period," said Mr McDonald.
Mr James Gallagher, QC, for Monaghan, also applied for a transcript of the evidence of Ms Heather Edwards, the McGinley's baby-sitter on the night it is alleged he was murdered in his home at Derryraghan Road, Ballinamallard, Co Fermanagh.
The Lord Chief Justice Sir Robert Carswell said he would make an order for the transcripts requested and further applications could be made if the need arose.