10 – Catherine Nevin: The Black Widow (Part 2)

In the second and final instalment of the Black Widow story, the Gardai ramp up their investigation into her, and she is finally charged with the murder of her husband, and conspiracy to commit murder. The trial took place in 2000, and lasted a whopping 62 days. After three attempts to start, it finally got under way and Willie McClean, Gerry Heapes and John Jones recounted their tales to the jury. We also examine the aftermath of the whole sorry affair, including Justice O'Buachalla coming under scrutiny in the Murphy Inquiry, and the various appeals that Catherine brought before the courts, before finally discussing the subject that was closest to Catherine's heart: money. Find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/mensreapod/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/MensReaPod) ! With thanks to our supporters on Patreon! If you would like to support the podcast, head on over to Patreon.com (https://www.patreon.com/MensReaPod) . Podcast Promo: Ignorance Was Bliss Podcast (https://iwbpodcast.com/) Theme Music: Quinn’s Song: The Dance Begins by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Sources: Niamh O'Conner, The Black Widow: The Catherine Nevin Story (Dublin, O'Brien Press, 2000) Purchase here (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0862786878/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2) Pat Flynn, Catherine and Friends: Inside the Investigation into Ireland's Most Notorious Murderer (Dublin, Liberties Press, 2015). Purchase here (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HCAM22E/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0) Stephen Breen, FEMME FATALE FACING DEATH https://www.thesun.ie/news/1499936/black-widow-catherine-nevin-in-hiding-after-being-freed-from-prison-as-killer-being-cared-for-at-secret-location-as-she-battles-inoperable-brain-tumour/ (7 September 2017) Emma McMenamy, “Catherine Nevin living out last days receiving palliative care in nursing home” https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/catherine-nevin-living-out-last-11154372 (12 September 2017) Emma McMenamy, “'Black Widow' Catherine Nevin Pictured in public after husband killer is allowed out of jail to attend course" https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/black-widow-catherine-nevin-husband-5451754 (3 April 2015) Mary Carolan, “Catherine Nevin murder conviction ruled admissable in disinheritance case” https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/high-court/catherine-nevin-murder-conviction-ruled-admissible-in-disinheritance-case-1.3001093 ( 7 March 2017) Kieran Dineen, COURT BID:‘Black Widow’ Catherine Nevin will go to Supreme Court in bid to get her hands on murdered husband’s estate"  https://www.thesun.ie/news/1365696/black-widow-catherine-nevin-will-go-to-supreme-court-in-bid-to-get-her-hands-on-murdered-husbands-estate/ ( August 2017) Independent.ie Newsdesk, “Catherine Nevin had 'just months to live' after being diagnosed with brain tumour” https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/catherine-nevin-has-just-months-to-live-after-being-diagnosed-with-brain-tumour-35187610.html (4 November 2016) Brian Kavanagh, “Catherine Nevin appeal to be heard in July”https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/catherine-nevin-appeal-to-be-heard-in-july-30314421.html (29 May 2014) Orla O'Donnell, “High – profile cases in spotlight as legal term resumes” https://www.rte.ie/news/analysis-and-comment/2017/1002/908978-legal-term-preview/ (2 October 2017) Legal Diary of the Supreme Court as published on 30th January 2018 http://courts.ie/legaldiary.nsf/a0b54bb3745b386280256c4b0024092b/4cbf2d3b37ceb28d80258225004f4ee2?OpenDocument Dearbhail McDonald and Tim Healy “Back Widow Nevin claims key witnesses were paid informers” https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/black-widow-nevin-claims-key-witnesses-were-paid-informers-26424912.html (21 February 2008) Tim Healy, “Black Widow' Nevin fights family of husband for his assets” https://www.herald.ie/news/black-widow-nevin-fights-family-of-husband-for-his-assets-28011409.html (26 June 2012)