Inquest into death at Jurys Inn begins

The inquest into the death of a young Cork woman murdered in Jurys Inn, Limerick, takes place today.

The inquest into the death of a young Cork woman murdered in Jurys Inn, Limerick, takes place today.

Ms Gráinne Dillon (24) was working as a duty manager in the hotel on the night of January 5th, 2002, when she was shot dead by a fellow employee.

Portuguese national Paulo Alexander Nascimento (27) shot the trainee manager at close range three times with a single barrelled shotgun.

Nascimento, who had worked as a glass collector and night porter in Jurys for just six days before the murder, shot Ms Dillon in the breast, thigh and lower pelvic area after stealing €3,000 from the hotel. He later admitted killing the young woman during a bungled robbery attempt.

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After pleading guilty to her murder, the trial judge described Nascimento's attack on Ms Dillon as the most vicious and callous crime he had ever encountered.

Nascimento is serving a life sentence. In July of 2003, he filed for repatriation to Portugal, saying his mother was unable to visit him regularly. His application could take up to two years to be processed.

Following his application, a friend of Ms Dillon's set up a website to campaign against the killer's return to Portugal. More than 4,000 people signed the online petition.

Under the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Act, non-nationals can apply to serve their sentences in their native country. The sentence is then converted into the country of origin's legislation.

The inquest takes place today at 11 a.m. in Limerick's City Hall.