The murder of Celine Cawley, a former New York-based Irish model who once lived in the home of tennis legend John McEnroe's father, has captivated Ireland in what has been described as the trial of the decade. She had also appeared briefly in a James Bond movie in her acting days.
In the dock and later found guilty of manslaughter was Eamon Lillis, a 52-year-old businessman accused of murdering his wife, former model Celine Cawley by hitting her repeatedly with a brick at their fashionable home in the upmarket suburb of Howth on December 15th 2008.
Celine Cawley who was 46 when she died and came from one of Dublin's leading families. Her father, lawyer James Cawley, was a leading lawyer who was very close to Tony O'Reilly, former head of Heinz and Independent Newspapers.
Cawley and Lillis were said to be unhappily married and he had commenced an affair with a 31-year-old massage therapist he had met some months before the murder. On the day of the murder he had dropped his daughter to school and returned home, where he and his wife began arguing.
Lillis claimed the fight then turned violent and his wife tried to hit him with the brick. In the ensuing struggle he said he had hit her to keep him away from him, though that testimony was disputed by the prosecution which claimed Lillis was the aggressor because he wanted to end the marriage because of the affair.
Lilis later tried to claim that a masked intruder had come into the house and he and his wife had struggled with the man. He even named a local gardener who worked on their garden on a few occasions as the suspect.
However, he came clean on the first day of the trial and revealed that he and his wife had fought.
Celine Cawley was alternately portrayed as a domineering woman, completely in charge of her henpecked husband, who she employed at much lesser wages than her in her successful television advertising business, or as a warmhearted devoted mother and friend who had built a great career.
At age 17 she had began a modeling career and had been discovered by Johnny Casanova of the Elite modeling agency. She moved to New York where she lived with John McEnroe senior for a time – her father and the McEnroe's were friends. She also appeared briefly in a James Bond movie with Roger Moore.
She returned to Ireland and became successful in the film production world. Her husband lost his job in an advertising agency so she hired him.
The trial was a huge media event with hundreds lining up every day for courtroom seats. Lillis was found guilty of manslaughter after the jury informed the judge that the state case had failed to prove intent to murder. The judge will deliver his sentence on Thursday.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.kickstar | Feb 03, 2010, 12:18 PM EST
Many years ago I used to drive out to Howth harbor on a Sunday morning especially when it was warm and sunny and just sit there watching the view until the pubs opened.
Bealboru | Feb 02, 2010, 02:46 PM EST
There is no denial going on here. What is being discussed is the actual trial and what evidence was presented. The article above did not reflect what was presented or concurred at the trail. The Jury said "Manslaughter" and she died because she was obese and fell in a bad position - pathologists report. End of. You may not like it but that is the result of the trial. "Sensational" journalism is something else.
dunbekin36 | Feb 02, 2010, 11:48 AM EST
Why are you all in denial.The fact is the creepy husband killed her. Excuses Excuses. How easy.
Realist | Feb 02, 2010, 03:11 AM EST
The wrong picture and the wrong trial details? Oh dear, oh dear.
Feidlimid | Feb 01, 2010, 06:27 PM EST
Niall - Maybe you ought to read the transcript of the trial. The hit by the brick did NOT kill her. That was established by the pathologist. It was claimed by the defence that it was the victim who first took up the brick to hit Lillis and he pushed it back onto her. One way or another - she died from being obese and when she fell her obesity was the factor that killed her. Her lungs were blocked by the position she was in - according to the pathologist. She could have been saved had she been given medical attention. The heading on this article is false - it was not murder. The count returned a verdict of Manslaughter.
Niall O'Dowd | Feb 01, 2010, 05:24 PM EST
He hits her with a brick ? is there such a thing as mild force
Feidlimid | Feb 01, 2010, 03:29 PM EST
Bad journalism. I followed this trial day by day and the reason given by the jury for the manslaughter verdict is that the state never proved "intent" i.e motive, he did not plan to kill her - and she did not die as the result of being hit. She died because she was obese and when she fell it disrupted her ability to breathe. Her skull was not broken and she did not suffer any brain damage. The brick hit her with mild force, it was established.
jacersisityourself | Feb 01, 2010, 03:15 PM EST
Murder is not something any journalist worth their salt should label 'sensational'. In this case, it was found by the jury to have been manslaughter, not murder. Either way, the death of a human being by violent means is both horrific and tragic, never sensational.
Jason75 | Feb 01, 2010, 09:48 AM EST
Article OK. Wrong picture on page one - correck film but not the lady in question pictured here. Please revise.