Family praised for courage ‘in painful wait for justice’

Family praised for courage ‘in painful wait for justice’

8 July 2020

THE Public Prosecution Service has paid tribute to the family of murder victim Joleen Corr.

Lynne Carlin, an Assistant Director in the PPS, commended the family’s courage and said they had endured a “painful wait for justice”. 

She remarked: “This was a violent assault on a defenceless young woman in her own home.

“O’Connor, who was Joleen’s former partner, attacked her with such force that she was left with catastrophic head injuries.

“After a period in hospital, Joleen was transferred home where she was lovingly cared for by her devoted family before she passed away in April 2018 following a High Court decision to withdraw artificial hydration and nutrition.

“It was in these unusual and distressing circumstances that we worked with the PSNI to review the original charges of attempted murder and grievous bodily harm with intent and upgraded the charges to one of murder.”

Ms Carlin continued: “This is the first case in which a murder conviction has followed the withdrawal of artificial hydration and nutrition from a victim of a violent crime.

“Together with police we built the strongest possible case against O’Connor, which resulted in him pleading guilty to murder.”

She added: “I want to pay tribute to Joleen’s family for the dignified and positive way in which they have engaged with us throughout this process. 

“While her family, including her young son, continue to try to cope with this devastating loss, 

I hope that this guilty verdict will bring some comfort to them.”