A request to have convicted killer Catherine Nevin brought to court as part of a legal row about her late husband's assets has been refused.

The 61-year-old is serving a life sentence for murdering Tom Nevin who was shot at their pub Jack White's in Brittas Bay, Co. Wicklow in 1996.

The brother and sister of the murdered publican have brought a civil action aimed at stopping her from inheriting any of her late husband's estate.

Patrick Nevin, Tynagh, Loughrea, Galway and Margaret Lavelle, Ballinagran, Craughwell, Galway, want the court to first rule on a preliminary issue.

High Court President Nicholas Kearns is being asked to decide whether Catherine Nevin's conviction from 2000 can be admitted as evidence in the civil action.

He will hear submissions tomorrow.

Calls for a stay rejected

The President rejected arguments from Catherine Nevin's solicitor Ann FitzGibbon to put a stay on the case.

Ms. FitzGibbon said Tom Nevin's mother gave an undertaking in 1998 that the civil action would not proceed until the criminal process was completed.

She argued that the criminal process is still live as the 61-year-old is trying to appeal her conviction to the Supreme Court on a point of law of exceptional public importance.

Papers were filed with the Court of Criminal Appeal yesterday, she informed the court.

Mrs. Nevin has issued a counterclaim to her in-laws.

She has sought declarations that she is entitled to at least part of her husband's assets, under the laws of intestacy.