A court’ has heard a 59 year old woman replied ‘I’m innocent’ to criminal charges relating to the death of her first husband in Dublin 25 years ago.
Philomena Coton with an address at Stoke Aldimoor, Coventry has been extradited from England following a cold case review into the attempted murder of Christopher Payne at Rutland Grove, Crumlin in 1988.
Father of two Christopher Payne died 6 months after a group of masked men attacked him with an axe at his South Dublin home in May 1988.
2 teenagers were jailed the next year but following a cold case garda review – the dead man’s wife Philomena Coton has been extradited from the UK accused of assault with intent to murder her husband and of causing him grievous bodily harm.
The 59 year old who has remarried, was dressed in a heavy black overcoat and wept as the court heard of her arrest at Dublin Airport last night and her replies of ‘I’m innocent’ when charged.
She’s been remanded in custody until next Wednesday when the DPP is to give reasons for its view that due to the nature of the case bail should be determined by the High Court.
State Solicitor Vincent Moloney said the book of evidence may take time to prepare as it’s a very old case.
