Custody hearing for children of Limerick man killed in North Carolina incident

The children of Jason Corbett are at the centre of a custody hearing in North Carolina, later today.

The Limerick man died during an alleged domestic incident at his home in America last week.

His children from his first marriage - 10-year-old Jack and eight-year-old Sarah, are currently in the care of Mr Corbett's second wife, Molly Martens Corbett.

She is the main suspect in the case, as police said they are not looking for anybody outside the family home in relation to the Irish man's death.

Mr Corbett's brother-in-law David Lynch is due to ask the court for custody of the children to be given to Mr Corbett's sister.

US immigration attorney Heather MacKenzie says that the best interests of the children will be a deciding factor.

"Early proceedings are probably going to be done behind closed doors," she said. "Hopefully it will be concluded in a peaceful manner that's in the best interests of the children."

"At this point, the question is: are the children more attached to their life here in the US … or their biological relatives who they've not seen as frequently?"