A Co Derry dentist and his former lover appeared together in the dock for the first time today charged with the murders of their respective partners almost 20 years ago.
51-year-old Colin Howell from Castlerock and 47-year-old Hazel Stewart from Coleraine are both charged with murdering Mr Howell's wife Lesley and Mrs Stewart's first husband Trevor Buchanan.
The 31-year-old victims were found in a car filled with exhaust fumes at Castlerock, Co Derry, in May 1991.
At the time it was believed the couple had died as a result of a suicide pact.
However, the investigation was re-opened when PSNI detectives questioned Mr Howell and Mrs Stewart 15 months ago.
They were charged separately at the end of January and had never been in the dock together until today.
A preliminary inquiry in the murder case is likely to go ahead next month and a trial could be held in the autumn.
