A 60-year-old woman has appeared at the district court in Longford charged with the murder of her husband over 20 years ago.
Vera McGrath of Coole in Co Westmeath was arrested this morning at her home.
She was charged with the murder of Bernard Brian McGrath at the family home in Lower Coole, Co Westmeath, between 16 March and April 1987.
Vera McGrath was remanded in custody to Mountjoy Prison and will appear again at a sitting of Longford District Court on 19 May.
Before Mrs McGrath left court this morning her solicitor, Paul Moore, complained to Judge John Neilon about what he described as 'grossly irresponsible press coverage' prior to his client being charged.
He said this included one publication which had printed a definitive statement in an article to state that Mrs McGrath was guilty of the offence before she was even charged with it.
He said that such was the nature of the press coverage that one wondered if she could get a fair trial.
The solicitor said he hoped that what he described as 'less responsible members of the press' will refrain from any further coverage of this nature and allow due process to take its course.
Judge John Neilon said he agreed with the sentiment expressed.
Brian McGrath went missing from his home in Coole in March 1987.
In a follow-up investigation a garda search team discovered human remains but nobody was charged in connection with the death at that stage.
Last year, gardaí investigating the disappearance of the father of four exhumed a body from a cemetery in Westmeath, and carried out a new forensic examination.
In February this year, a 46-year-old man appeared in court in Athlone charged with the murder of Brian McGrath.
