Convicted murderer gets $84k in legal aid

Mulligan was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum 15-year non-parole period. Photo / File

Just over $84,000 in legal aid has been paid out for the defence of convicted murderer Dean Mulligan with the figure set to grow with an appeal pending.

Mulligan, 45, was found guilty of the murder of Wanganui woman Marice McGregor following a two-week trial at the High Court at Wanganui in June last year.

A month later, he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum 15-year non-parole period, by Justice Denis Clifford.

Ms McGregor's body was found on May 12, 2010 at the bottom of a steep ravine about 50km north of Wanganui.

Mulligan had taken her there before hitting her on the head with an iron bar.

Mulligan, an amputee and former computer technician, met Ms McGregor on an internet dating site.

Ministry of Justice legal aid services director Michele McCreadie said the total legal aid provided for the defence of Mulligan at his trial was $84,323.

Mulligan, who was represented at trial by Wanganui lawyer Stephen Ross, has since changed counsel and is now represented by New Plymouth-based lawyer Julian Hannam.

A hearing date for his appeal has not yet been set.

Ms McCreadie confirmed that legal aid would be provided for Mulligan during his appeal and details would be available once the proceedings were finished.