Courts / Galway / Report
Woman who killed ex 'may have gone over to drink' due to coronavirus isolation
Summary
In a hearing at the Central Criminal Court on 15 June 2020, the court considered whether isolation caused by coronavirus measures had led Maura Thornton, 38, to breach a condition of her suspended sentence for the manslaughter of her former partner Kevin Joyce, 59. Thornton had been sentenced in 2013 to ten years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended on the condition that she address her alcohol problems. The court heard that Thornton may have exceeded her alcohol limits during the isolation period. The case was adjourned to 29 June. Thornton's 2011 killing of Joyce, an American, involved 18 stab wounds inflicted on Joyce outside her Salthill apartment. The court noted that Thornton had been drinking heavily that night and that she had called the Gardaí after the incident, but they could not interview her due to her intoxication. The judge had previously suspended three years of her sentence to encourage rehabilitation.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Woman who killed ex 'may have gone over to drink' due to coronavirus isolation. Charges or matters: the manslaughter of her former partner Kevin Joyce (59) outside her apartment in Salthill in Galway on July 3, 2011. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- July 3, 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 29 Adjournment
- 2020-06-15 Publication
Why: He added that because of "isolation" caused by the coronavirus pandemic she "may have gone over to drink". CNI source report
Case subjects
Background Person
Charges: the manslaughter of her former partner Kevin Joyce (59) outside her apartment in Salthill in Galway on July 3, 2011 (Proven)
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; When Mr Justice Paul McDermott asked why the case was being brought before him, Mr O'Carroll said three years of Ms Thornton's sentence had been suspended subject to her adhering to certain conditions relating to alcohol. Mr Justice Barry White suspended three years of her sentence to give her an incentive to rehabilitate.; Mr Justice McDermott adjourned the hearing until June 29.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- During Ms Thornton's Central Criminal Court
Topics
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