THE BROTHER OF Jennifer Poole, who was fatally stabbed seven times by her boyfriend in her Finglas apartment, has said his family are tormented by the thoughts of what she endured that day and that she spent her last minutes on earth with the “very worst of humanity”.

Jason Poole told the Central Criminal Court today that: “No one deserves to die at the hands of another person for no reason. No one deserves to be treated like Jennifer was treated. No one should ever think they can control a person and make them feel worthless. Nobody should feel afraid or scared of someone else”.

Sentencing judge Mr Justice Paul Burns noted this was “yet another case of a violent attack upon a young mother by a male partner.

The court also heard during today’s sentence hearing that the defendant, 30-year-old Gavin Murphy, has a previous conviction for assaulting a previous partner.

The court heard that the relationship between Jennifer and Murphy had ongoing difficulties in the months prior to the fatal assault and the deceased’s friend had observed injuries on the mother-of-two in the week of and the day before she was murdered

In a letter of apology to the Poole family which was read out today by his defence counsel in court, Murphy said: “I know that nothing I can say can take away the pain. Everyone knew and loved Jennifer. I cannot say how sorry I am for what I have done. I pleaded guilty to murder to show how sorry I am. I wanted to save everyone who loved Jennifer from having to go through a trial. I wanted to accept full responsibility, I will never forgive myself for what I did”.

Mr Poole also said in his statement that their family have so many unanswered questions as to why and how someone could take the life of another person who was always there to help others who had a family and two “beautiful young children”.

The testimony was heard as part of an emotional victim impact statement read today to the Central Criminal Court, where Murphy was sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment for murdering his girlfriend Jennifer Poole. The sentence was backdated to 17 April 2021, when he went into custody.

Before sentencing the defendant, Mr Justice Burns said: “This is yet another case of a violent attack upon a young mother by a male partner, this case having fatal consequences for the deceased. Ms Poole was involved with the accused for one year prior to her death and their relationship was described as having difficulties. Her family and friends noticed injuries on Ms Poole prior to the fatal attack.”

The judge added: “The accused appears to be of a violent disposition, having previously been convicted of assault causing harm to a previous partner and her mother, where he produced a knife. It shows his disposition for violence upon women”.

“Ms Poole received seven stab wounds, her neighbour witnessed it in part and that must have been a harrowing experience for her. The victim impact statements made were very eloquent, it is clear Ms Poole was a good and caring person, a devoted mother and respected in her community. The loss has had a devastating effect upon the family, particularly her two small children who are left to make their way in the world without the love of their mother,” he concluded.

Mr Justice Burns finally extended his condolences to the Poole family.

Mother-of-two Ms Poole (24) was stabbed to death at her first floor apartment in Melville Drive, Finglas, north Dublin, at around 2pm on 17 April 2021.

Neighbours raised the alarm and emergency services attended the scene before she was rushed to Connolly Hospital and died a short time later.

Her cause of death was haemorrhage and shock due to multiple stab wounds.

Gavin Murphy, with an address at Coultry Drive, Ballymun, Dublin 9 appeared at the court today for his sentence hearing, having pleaded guilty earlier this month on 1 April to murdering his girlfriend Ms Poole in her Dublin home last year.

Ms Poole, originally from the Ballygall area of Finglas, was a healthcare worker at Beneavin Lodge Care Home, and played camogie with local club Erin’s Isle.

After hearing two statements from Ms Poole’s brothers this afternoon, Mr Justice Burns sentenced Murphy to the mandatory term of life imprisonment for murder.

Earlier, the court heard that Murphy has 13 previous convictions for the use of a mobile phone whilst in custody, the unlawful seizure of a vehicle, criminal damage, burglary, the production of an article in the course of a dispute and two counts of assault causing harm.

The court was told that the two assault charges were against his “romantic partner at the time” and her mother, when a knife was produced during a fight.

Dean Kelly SC, prosecuting, told the hearing that Ms Poole’s young son was outside at the time of the fatal assault and could hear his mother’s cries for help. Ms Poole’s friend and neighbour tried to break down the deceased’s front door during the attack as Ms Poole screamed at her to kick the door in.