Call for Minister for Foreign Affairs to help in US custody case

The brother of a late Limerick man whose children are at the centre of a custody case following his death in the US earlier this month has called for the Minister for Foreign Affairs to intervene in the case.

The children, both of whom are Irish citizens, were taken into the care of US social services following the death of their father Jason Corbett in North Carolina on August 3rd.

Mr Corbett (39), from Janesboro in Limerick City, was found dead at his home at Panther Creek in Wallburg, in what US authorities described as a domestic disturbance.

Mr Corbett and his children Jack (10) and Sarah (8) moved to the US four years ago following the death of their mother Mags.

He later married local woman Molly Martins (32), who has been questioned by the police in relation to his death.

A custody hearing began in Davidson County Courthouse in Lexington, North Carolina, on Friday. The hearing is due to resume on Tuesday.

It will determine whether the children will stay with their American step-mother Molly Martens Corbett or be allowed to return to Ireland with their legal guardians, Mr Corbett's sister Tracey Lynch and her husband David.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio at the weekend Mr Corbett's oldest brother John called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan to do "whatever is in his powers" to help his sister and brother-in-law who, he said, have not had access to the children since Jason died.

He said the family had decided not to hold Jason’s funeral “until his son and daughter are back in Ireland”.

Mr Corbett described his younger brother Jason as “a big teddy bear” who was an “unbelievably loving, caring” person.