Man to be sentenced for killing girlfriend

An “accomplished boxer” will be sentenced next month for the manslaughter of a mother of two with whom he had been in a “turbulent relationship”.

Ray Gralton, aged 23, of Mount Prospect, Roscommon, was charged with the murder of Sara Staunton, 28, at her home at Portagh, Mayo Abbey, Claremorris, Co Mayo, on December 13, 2013.

He pleaded guilty to manslaughter in advance of the trial and the plea was accepted by the DPP. Brendan Grehan, defending, read out a letter written by his client,