Courts / Galway / Report
Woman who killed partner refused permission to spend Christmas with mother
Summary
Maura Thornton, 38, of 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 31 July 2011. Three years of the sentence were suspended. In February 2018 she was granted early release but breached the conditions by drinking alcohol, violating the suspended portion. In a hearing on 16 December 2020, Thornton appeared via video link from the Dochas Women's Centre at Mountjoy prison. She did not speak, but her barrister, Blaise O'Carroll SC, reported that she has been attending regular meetings with health professionals who describe her as open, insightful and realistic, and that she is engaging with prison services. Justice Paul McDermott expressed concerns and refused to release her for Christmas, requesting a structured treatment plan and adjourned the case until 9 February to allow that plan to be developed.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Woman who killed partner refused permission to spend Christmas with mother. Charges or matters: the manslaughter of her former partner Kevin Joyce (59) outside her apartment in Salthill in Galway on July 31, 2011. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- July 31, 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 9 Adjournment
- Christmas Other
- 2020-12-16 Publication
Case subjects
Background Person
Charges: the manslaughter of her former partner Kevin Joyce (59) outside her apartment in Salthill in Galway on July 31, 2011 (Proven)
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; The Central Criminal Court previously heard that Thornton was granted early release in February 2018 but has since breached the conditions of her partly suspended sentence by drinking alcohol. Mr Justice Barry White suspended three years of her sentence to give her an incentive to rehabilitate.; He said he wants a "structured plan" drawn up for her ongoing treatment and adjourned the case until February 9 to allow that to happen.
Places mentioned
- The Central Criminal Court
- During Thornton's Central Criminal Court
- Mountjoy prison
Topics
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