Joleen Corr murder: O'Connor to spend at least 16 years in jail

A man who "propelled" his partner down stairs, leaving her with severe brain damage which ended her life, has been told he will spend at least 16 years of his life sentence in jail.

Joleen Corr, 27, was attacked in Downpatrick, County Down, in December 2016 and was left needing 24-hour care.

On Thursday, her former partner Michael O'Connor, 34, appeared at Downpatrick Crown Court via videolink from prison.

He clapped and rubbed his hands together at the end of the hearing. 

A judge who described him as a "physical and psychological bully" said he would serve at least the full 16 years behind bars for the murder and would only be released under a life-long licence when the parole commissioners considered it safe to do so. 

Joleen Corr pictured before she was attacked by her former partner

Praising the "dignity and fortitude" of Ms Corr's family, who also watched proceedings by video conference call, he said Joleen was a "bubbly young woman" whose life was "cruelly cut short" by the actions of O'Connor. 

'I miss her calling me mummy'

Following the sentencing, Ms Corr's mother Carol Corr said she "felt her insides turning" as the judge read out the details of how her daughter had been "left lying" while O'Connor "covered his tracks".

"I have mixed emotions, very happy that is was a 16-year sentence but sad because it is not going to bring Joleen back," she said.

"He took a mother, he took a sister. When she died in my arms part of me went with her.

"I miss everything about her, her loud voice, her text messages, I miss her calling me mummy."

Michael O'Connor has been jailed for at least 16 years

O'Connor claimed that he and the mother-of-one had been fighting over her mobile phone at the top of the stairs on 1 December, 2016 when O'Connor lashed out, punching Joleen so hard that he broke her jaw, "propelling her down the stairs" at her home in Thomas Russell Park. 

O'Connor went to bed and in the morning, had a bath and took a bus to Belfast with the couple's five-year-old son.

Det Supt Jason Murphy from the PSNI welcomed the sentence and said it had been a "thorough and painstaking investigation".

"For 16 months Joleen's family had to watch her suffering and devotedly tended to all her needs.

"During that time Joleen was unable to communicate with anyone," he said.

"Although today's sentencing will never bring Joleen back I hope it enables her family to take an important step in the grieving process."

'Always a way out'

He said Thursday's judgement was not "just about Joleen".

"Today is also about the very many sufferers of domestic abuse who are forced to live in silence," he said, appealing to anyone who is experiencing domestic violence to seek help and support.

Carol Corr said she also hoped the sentencing would encourage other sufferers to seek help.

"Don't sacrifice your life, there is always a way out," she said.

"Joleen didn't get the chance, I hope other people get the chance."

Joleen Corr needed 24-hour care after the attack

Ms Corr had sustained a brain injury which was so severe that doctors initially opted not to treat her, but was left in a vegetative state until a landmark ruling in 2018, when doctors withdrew life support and she died on 26 April.

"It was in these unusual and distressing circumstances that we worked with the PSNI to review the original charges of attempted murder and grievous bodily harm with intent and upgraded the charges to one of murder," said Lynne Carlin from the Public Prosecution Service.

Ms Carlin added that it was the first case in Northern Ireland "in which a murder conviction has followed the withdrawal of artificial hydration and nutrition from a victim of a violent crime".

O'Connor had been due to go on trial last February, but at the 11th hour, with a jury sworn and witnesses poised to testify, he asked to be rearraigned and finally admitted his guilt, firstly to manslaughter and then, when that was not accepted by prosecuting QC Philip Mateer, to her murder.

Sentencing O'Connor on Thursday, the judge said his actions "have to be seen in the context of a man who used violence, both physical and psychological, as a means of control".

He said it was the culmination of continual domestic violence perpetrated against Joleen, who was vulnerable and had a child in the house. 

Anyone who is suffering from domestic abuse can contact police on the non-emergency 101 number or 999 in an emergency.

A 24-hour Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline is also available to anyone who has concerns about domestic or sexual abuse, now or in the past on 0808 802 1414.