Courts / Cork / Report
Mother-of-three sentenced to life for murder for second time this year
Summary
A 37‑year‑old Cork mother of three, Catherine O'Connor, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of her 42‑year‑old neighbour, John Forrester, on 12 November 2011. O'Connor pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court. Forrester's body was found on 15 November 2011 in the River Bandon, wrapped in carpet and tied with a belt from O'Connor's cardigan. The autopsy revealed blunt force trauma, asphyxia, a broken hyoid bone, bruising to the throat, a fractured skull, broken ribs, a broken hip and lacerations to the head and mouth. Evidence included O'Connor's fingerprints on a broken Man Utd cup and Forrester's blood on a mobile phone in her flat. O'Connor had been in custody since 28 January 2012 and had 55 prior convictions, including a previous murder. Mr Justice Paul Carney imposed a mandatory life sentence, and O'Connor was led away in a grey hooded jacket, black trousers and boots.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Mother-of-three sentenced to life for murder for second time this year. Charges or matters: murdering her 42-year-old neighbour, John Forrester, when arraigned before the Central Criminal Court yesterday (Monday); murdering a man called Jonathan Duke. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 12, 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 15th Hearing Or Sentence
- November 13th Incident
- January 28, 2012 Incident
- July 14th Other
- 2013-10-21 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murdering her 42-year-old neighbour, John Forrester, when arraigned before the Central Criminal Court yesterday (Monday); murdering a man called Jonathan Duke (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He described his uncle as one of the kindest people you could wish to meet and said that no sentence imposed would be enough. "We hope she'll never see the light of day again and be allowed to torture another family like she's tortured ours," he concluded.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Bridge House
Topics
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