Courts / Galway / Report
Pandemic isolation contributed to killer 'falling off cliff' by turning to alcohol
Summary
Maura Thornton, 38, from Inverin, Connemara, was sentenced in 2013 to ten years' imprisonment for the manslaughter of her former partner Kevin Joyce, 59, who was stabbed 18 times outside her Salthill apartment on 3 July 2011. Three years of her sentence were suspended on the condition that she address her alcohol problems. In 2020 the Central Criminal Court heard that Thornton had breached this condition by returning to drinking, a relapse she attributed in part to isolation during the Covid‑19 pandemic. She was admitted to hospital on 10 June for detoxification and had been sober for 19 days, taking alcohol deterrent medication, anti‑depressants and other drugs. Her probation officer had urged her to attend a residential treatment centre, which she agreed to, and the case was adjourned to 7 October for a progress update. The court noted that Thornton had recognised her problem and was taking steps to address it.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Pandemic isolation contributed to killer 'falling off cliff' by turning to alcohol. 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
- February 8th, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 10th Hearing Or Sentence
- October 7th Adjournment
- 2020-06-29 Publication
Why: When asked by Mr O'Carroll if she was drinking alcohol again because of the isolation caused by the pandemic, she replied: "It didn't help, that's for sure". 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; The Central Criminal Court heard today that Ms Thornton had part of her sentence suspended on condition that she deal with her alcohol problems but she "fell off the cliff" and was drinking again, with isolation due to Covid-19 restrictions contributing to the situation. The court previously heard that three years of Thornton's sentence had been suspended subject to her adhering to certain conditions relating to alcohol.; He adjourned the case until October 7th when there will be an update on Ms Thornton's progress.
Places mentioned
- The Central Criminal Court
- During Thornton's Central Criminal Court
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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