Irish Daily Mail

I’M GOING TO FIGHT TO KEEP THE CHILDREN

Stepmother and chief suspect in Irish father’s killing begins her dramatic custody battle with his sister

- From Catherine Fegan in North Carolina

THE two women battling for custody of Jason Corbett’s children have come face-to-face for the first time since his brutal death at the family’s US home. The tense courtroom showdown between Jason’s sister Tracey Lynch and his wife Molly Martens follows the bludgeonin­g to death of the Limerick man with a baseball bat at his luxurious residence in Panther Creek Court, North Carolina, earlier this month.

Ms Lynch has flown out to the US in a desperate effort to bring her niece Sarah Corbett, eight, and ten-year-old nephew Jack back to Ireland.

At present, however, the children

remain in the emergency custody of their stepmother, Mr Corbett’s wife Molly, despite detectives identifyin­g her as a ‘person of interest’ in her husband’s death.

The 31-year- old part-time swimming coach married Mr Corbett in 2011, several years after the passing of his first wife Mags.

He was found in the bedroom of his home in the early hours of August 3, having sustained fatal injuries to his head.

Initial reports suggested that Molly was the ‘chief suspect’ in the case, which was described as ‘a domestic disturbanc­e’.

Police also said that Molly’s parents Sharon and Thomas Martens – the latter has also been named as a ‘person of interest’ in the case – had been visiting the Corbett home that weekend.

Two weapons were recovered from the scene – including the baseball bat which police say was used in the incident.

When officers arrived at the scene it was reported that the two children were unaware of what had happened to their father, who had been socialisin­g with neighbours just hours earlier along with his wife.

The suburban street in which the couple lived has been likened to Wisteria Lane from the hit US series Desperate Housewives, such is the opulence of the neighbourh­ood in the North Carolina town.

One neighbour, Tony Turner, said of Jason: ‘Everyone round here loved him. He was always up for a laugh and had

‘She is an outstandin­g

mother’ Media asked to leave the court

plenty of time for everyone. He was a great father, he was really involved in all the kids’ sports and they adored him. He kept Jack in line and doted on Sarah.

‘We socialised mostly here in each other’s houses and everyone on the street loved his company. Whatever happened in the house that night has come as a complete shock to us all.’

The hearing in Davidson County Court was convened in order to determine whether or not Mr Corbett’s two children should be allowed to return to Ireland with their aunt.

Speaking outside court, Molly’s uncle Michael Ernest, who works for the federal law agency in DC, said his niece would do everything she could to keep the children in the US.

‘Molly absolutely wants to retain guardiansh­ip of the kids,’ he said.

‘Effectivel­y she’s really the only mother they have ever known. ‘She is an outstandin­g mother.’ When asked if Mrs Corbett had prepared herself for the possibilit­y that the children may return to Ireland, Mr Ernest said Molly was focusing on the hearing. ‘She loves those kids,’ he said. ‘I know this, family is just really important to Molly and I know that within her power, she would want the children’s extended family to be part of their lives, absolutely.

‘I cannot imagine what she is going through. She is a strong person and her l ove for the children doesn’t bear any bounds.’

Mrs Corbett, who was dressed in a demure black dress and wearing oversized sunglasses, arrived in court flanked by friends and family members shortly after 8.30am.

She took her place on the righthand side of Courtroom D and spoke solemnly to her lawyers whilst being comforted by a group of more than ten family members and friends. Downcast and visibly frail, the striking blonde appeared tense and drawn.

Tracey Lynch, who was wearing a cobalt blue dress, arrived a short time l ater with her husband David.

She appeared nervous but determined as she settled into her seat.

The couple, who are named as legal guardians in Jason’s will, were accompanie­d by friends and family as well as John Young, Honorary Consul of Ireland for North Carolina and Shane Stephens, Consul General of Ireland.

Mr Stephens said he was doing all he could to help the family.

‘Given the exceptiona­l circumstan­ces of this case I attended the hearing today as a representa­tive of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,’ he said.

‘We are working to ensure the best interests of these young Irish children are protected and will continue to provide all appropriat­e consular assistance.’

The hearing, which began at 9am, was presided over by Clerk of Court Superior Brian Shipwash.

Mrs Corbett avoided eye contact with her sister-in-law as Tracey glanced over in her direction on a number of occasions.

Addressing both parties, Clerk Shipman explained that there were two issues that needed to be explored.

Firstly, the guardiansh­ip of the children and secondly any ‘assets or liabilitie­s that may exist for the minors’. Lawyers for Mrs Corbett told the court that she did not have any desire to have guardiansh­ip of any assets associated with the children.

‘I want to make it clear that we are not here to get guardiansh­ip of assets,’ said Ray Grantham, for Mrs Corbett.

On the opposite side of the room, Tracey Lynch’s lawyer Kim Bonuomo rose to her feet.

Addressing t he court, she explained that her client also had not applied for guardiansh­ip of the estate.

She added that Mr Corbett’s will had been submitted to probate and that she was willing to provide any informatio­n that was needed regarding assets.

As Mrs Corbett’s lawyer’s moved to address the issue of guardian- ship of the children, Mr Grantham asked that the hearing be closed to persons not directly involved with applicatio­ns for custody.

All media and spectators were then asked to leave.

The hearing, which was expected to take a few hours, continued into late afternoon.

Both sides have five witnesses who will each give evidence.

Ms Lynch emerged from the courtroom on several occasions appearing visibly upset and clutching a tissue. She declined to comment on proceeding­s as the afternoon wore on.

As Mrs Corbett, who was still wearing her wedding ring, came out of the courtroom for lunch, she was shielded from view by an impressive entourage of lawyers and family members.

Many relatives are believed to have travelled across the state in a show of solidarity.

Her mother and father were not present.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that Thomas Martens is a retired FBI agent.

The 65-year-old, who went to the local police station with his daughter on the night of the incident, is a former counter terrorism agent with more than 30 years’ experience in the field.

Both parties were photograph­ed by investigat­ors and there clothes were removed for examinatio­n. No charges were brought.

The investigat­ion is continuing and it is understood that police plan to interview Mrs Corbett and her father again.

 ??  ?? Demure:Molly Martens, at the hearing in DavidsonCo­unty
Demure:Molly Martens, at the hearing in DavidsonCo­unty

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