Man may face murder charge over woman’s death

Man may face murder charge over woman’s death

14 November 2018

A MAN may be charged with the murder of a Downpatrick woman he is accused of attacking and who was left in a coma for 17 months before she died.

Michael O’Connor (32) has been on remand in custody awaiting trial for nearly two years for the attempted murder of 27 year-old beauty therapist Joleen Corr.

Ms Corr, a mother-of-one, was found in her Russell Park home on December 1, 2016, having suffered a catastrophic brain injury. She also had a broken jaw, injuries to her face and ear and severe bruising.

Ms Corr spent six months in the neurological department of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast before she 

was moved to get specialist treatment at Musgrave Park Hospital’s brain injury clinic.

Her family were told by doctors that the left side of her brain was damaged and she was unlikely to recover.

A decision was made in April this year to withdraw the treatment which was keeping her alive. Ten days later, Ms Corr died in her mother’s arms in the Northern Ireland Hospice.

The Public Prosecution Service decided to review the charge to see if it should be ungraded after Ms Corr’s death.

At Newtownards Crown Court last Wednesday, David McDowell QC confirmed that the PPS will apply to bring an upgraded charge of murder or manslaughter against O’Connor, who is originally from Westrock Grove in Belfast, but whose address was given as Maghaberry prison.

However, defence lawyer Tom McCreanor said the application would be opposed.

In order for the charges to be added to O’Connor’s bill of indictment, prosecutors have to satisfy a judge in the Crown Court or High Court that there is sufficient evidence.

Judge Piers Grant said that he was anxious to avoid any delay and suggested that it would be important to find out which High Court judge made the order to withdraw medical treatment.

He reissued an order for Ms Corr’s medical records to be forwarded from the Royal Victoria Hospital to the court.

The case will be reviewed on November 22.