Northern Ireland

Woman (48) to stand trial of murdering her two young children in car fire in Co Westmeath

Thelma Egar and her brother Michael
Thelma Egar and her brother Michael Thelma Egar and her brother Michael

A 48-year-old woman will go on trial next year accused of murdering her two young children in a car fire in Co Westmeath.

Lynn Eagar, with an address of Winetown, Rathowen, Co Westmeath, is charged with the murders of Thelma (5) and Michael Dennany (2) at Lackan, Multyfarnham on September 9 last year.

At the Central Criminal Court on Tuesday, Sean Gillane SC, appearing for Ms Eagar, asked that a date for trial be fixed. He said he is hopeful that a lot of the facts in the case may be agreed.

Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring set a trial date of January 15 2024 with witness and exhibit orders for the same date.

The case, which the court heard is expected to last for two weeks, was listed for case management on July 21 this year.

Thelma and her brother Mikey suffered fatal injuries when the vehicle they were in went on fire on the afternoon of September 9 2022.

The car was discovered engulfed in flames by a passerby on a rural road at Lackan, a townland between the villages of Multyfarnham and Coole.