Couple’s killing by neglect convictions quashed on appeal

A couple convicted of killing a 59-year-old MS sufferer by neglect have had their convictions quashed by the Court of Appeal.

Evelyn Joel’s 41-year-old daughter, Eleanor, and her partner Jonathan Costen, 43, with last addresses at Cluain Dara, Enniscorthy, had pleaded not guilty to the unlawful killing of Evelyn by neglect in Wexford in January 2006.

Following a retrial, they were found guilty by a jury at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court and were given a two-year suspended sentence by Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin in March 2013 on condition they carry out 230 hours’ community service. The pair successfully appealed their convictions — with the Court of Appeal holding yesterdaythat the couple succeeded on a number of grounds.