Ray Gralton sentenced for manslaughter of Sara Staunton

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Ray Gralton was sentenced to 10 years, with the final two years suspended, for manslaughter at the Central Criminal Court on 13 April 2015. Sara Staunton died at her home in Portagh, Mayo Abbey, Claremorris, Co Mayo, in December 2013. The court heard that Gralton had pleaded guilty to manslaughter, a plea accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Mr Justice Paul Carney said the offence had inherent gravity and considered the effect on Sara Staunton’s family, the injuries inflicted and the risk of reoffending. The sentence was backdated to 16 December 2013. The final two years were suspended on condition that Gralton enter a €1,000 bond and stay away from the Staunton family.