Courts / Mayo / Report

"Accomplished boxer" jailed for 8 years for manslaughter of mum-of-two

Date
2015-04-13

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Claremorris

County
Mayo

Summary

A 23-year-old man from Mount Prospect, Roscommon, has been sentenced to ten years imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, following his conviction for manslaughter at the Central Criminal Court. Ray Gralton pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Sara Staunton, a 28-year-old mother-of-two, who died at her home in Portagh, Mayo Abbey, Claremorris on 13 December 2013. The court heard the pair had been in a turbulent relationship marked by heavy alcohol consumption. During the evening of her death, a violent altercation occurred between Gralton and Ms Staunton, during which she sustained severe blunt force trauma to the head. A pathologist confirmed multiple bruises and brain damage. Mr Justice Paul Carney noted the offence's inherent gravity and the impact on the deceased's family. In imposing sentence, the judge acknowledged Gralton's remorse and good work record. The suspended portion is conditional on a €1,000 bond and that Gralton maintain distance from the Staunton family.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Accomplished boxer" jailed for 8 years for manslaughter of mum-of-two. Charges or matters: the murder of 28-year-old Sara Staunton at her home at Portagh, Mayo Abbey, Claremorris in Co; manslaughter in advance of the trial and the plea was accepted by the DPP. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

December 13, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
December 14 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
December 15th Other
December 14, 2013 Other
December 16th 2013 Incident
2015-04-13 Publication

Case subjects

Ray Gralton

Accused

Charges: the murder of 28-year-old Sara Staunton at her home at Portagh, Mayo Abbey, Claremorris in Co; manslaughter in advance of the trial and the plea was accepted by the DPP (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Mr Justice Paul Carney today said the offence was of "inherent gravity" and that taking into account the (effect on) members of Sara Staunton's family and the injuries inflicted, as well as his risk of re-offending, he imposed a sentence of ten years to be back dated from December 16th 2013.