THE BODY OF Limerick man Jason Corbett has been flown back to Ireland from the US this morning.
The 39-year-old died in his North Carolina home last week after a domestic incident.
His two children are currently in the care of Corbett’s second wife Molly Martins, the main suspect in the case.
Corbett is to be laid to rest with his first wife who passed away from an asthma attack eight years ago.
Corbett’s sister Tracey Lynch and her husband David traveled over to the US last week to try and bring their niece and nephew, Jack (10) and Sarah (8), back to Ireland.
However, they have not been able to meet the children since arriving in North Carolina.
A guardianship hearing to determine custody of his children is due to take place tomorrow.
Tracey said her brother had left written instructions requesting that she and her husband become his children’s legal guardians in the event of his death. David said:
It shouldn’t have even got to this. These children are two Irish citizens…they were linked to Jason’s work visa. They are technically illegal in the United States now.
“We’re just lost here and we don’t know what to do. This whole thing is just a nightmare.”
The family also insist that Jason will not be buried until his children are back in Ireland.
The Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan said yesterday that her colleague Charlie Flanagan is willing to intervene to help but she added that it may not be the most appropriate course of action as there are legal issues which the consulate is currently dealing with.
An online petition and has been set up and a fundraising page has also been created to raise funds to bring the children home.
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