US custody hearing over children of Jason Corbett adjourned

The outcome of a custody hearing in relation to the children of an Irish man killed in America earlier this month is unlikely to be known until next week.

Irish citizens Jack (10) and Sarah Corbett (8) were taken into the care of US social services following the death of their father Jason Corbett in North Carolina on August 3rd last.

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

The father of two moved to the southern US state with his young children four years ago, following the death of their mother Mags, and later married local woman Molly Martins (32), who has been questioned by the police in relation to his death.

Mr Corbett’s sister Tracey Lynch and her husband David who were appointed legal guardians to the Corbett children after their mother died, are among the family members who have travelled to America in an attempt to gain custody of the children.

None of the Corbett family have been allowed any contact with the children since they arrived in North Carolina almost two weeks ago.

Mr Corbett's remains were repatriated earlier this week by The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, while a custody hearing regarding the two children began in Davidson County Courthouse in Lexington, North Carolina, on Friday at 9am local time (2pm Irish time) and is due to resume next Tuesday.

The judge hearing the case ordered a media black out and proceedings were also closed off to the public.

It is understood some staff members at the court house were also not permitted into the hearing which will determine whether the children will remain 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 before he went into the custody hearing in North Carolina on Friday the children’s uncle David Lynch said: “The family’s focus is on the case this morning and we ask the people of Ireland to keep us in their thoughts and prayers.”

In an interview with Limerick’s Live 95FM radio station, US immigration attorney Heather MacKenzie said: “Early proceedings are probably going to be done behind closed doors.

“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?”

Meanwhile, a fund has been set up in Limerick to help Jason Corbett’s family with travel expenses and legal costs which are expected to run into the tens of thousands of euro.