Daughter of Jason Corbett to release balloons marking End Domestic Violence month

Sarah Corbett-Lynch

The daughter of Jason Corbett who was beaten to death in his home in the US will release balloons today to mark North Carolina’s End Domestic Violence month.

The teenager flew to the states on Friday with her family to be in court tomorrow to face the people standing trial for her father’s death.

Limerick businessman Jason Corbett was found dead in the home he shared with his American wife Molly Martens on August 2, 2015.

He had been beaten with a baseball bat and a concrete paving brick.

Ms Martens 40, and her father Tom, 73, a former FBI agent, were convicted of the second-degree murder of Mr Corbett in 2017.

However, they had their convictions overturned and are awaiting a retrial.

A hearing will take place tomorrow ahead of a full retrial which is due to commence next Monday 6 November. 

Jason Corbett attending the Midwestern Cancer Foundation Butterfly Ball at the Radisson Hotel. Picture ( Brendan Gleeson )

The Irish Examiner understands Jason Corbett’s sister Tracey, and her husband David Lynch as well as Jason’s children Jack and Sarah will be present in court for the hearing.

Jason’s twin brother Wayne will also be in attendance along with Paul Dillon, Jason’s childhood friend.

Later today, Sarah Corbett Lynch will host a biodegradable balloon release at her father’s former workplace as part of Domestic Violence Awareness month.

The event will take place at the Jason Corbett Memorial plaque at MPS WestRock Carpark at 4pm (9pm Irish time).

In a statement, the teenager said the purpose of the event was to help “make a difference and send a strong message that domestic violence will not be tolerated in our communities, or in our world”.

She continued “Domestic violence affects millions of people around the world, causing physical and emotional harm that can last a lifetime.

“It is important for us to stand together and combat this issue.

By participating in this balloon release, we can symbolise our unity and determination to create a safer and more compassionate society.” “Domestic violence affects people from all walks of life. Let’s come together as a community to support one another and break the cycle of abuse”.

Sarah was four when she moved to the states with her father and brother Jack and their former au pair Molly Martens.

The American came to Ireland to work as their nanny after the death of their mother Mags, Mr Corbett’s first wife who died in 2006 following an asthma attack.

Mr Corbett and Ms Martens married in 2011.

Sarah Corbett Lynch has since written a book about young people coping with grief.