Andrew Carey
A CANDLE light vigil, in support of the two Limerick children orphaned in the US and that are now at the centre of a custody battle, is to be held this Tuesday evening
Hundreds of candles are to be lit by relatives and friends of the Corbett family outside City Hall as a sign of support and hope that Jack (10) and Sarah Corbett (8) whose father Jason (39) was killed in his home in Wallburg, North Carolina on August 2 last, will be returned home to Ireland.
The outcome of a custody hearing to determine whether or not Sarah (8) and Jack (10) will remain in the care of their American step mother, Molly Martens Corbett, or be allowed return to Ireland with their aunt Tracey Lynch and her husband David is expected on Thursday.
The Lynch’s who were appointed legal guardians to the children following the death of their mother Mags Corbett in 2006 attended a seven and a half hour custody hearing at Davidson County Courthouse in Lexington, North Carolina last Friday.
Mrs Lynch who is Jason Corbett’s sister has not been allowed see her niece and nephew since she arrived in North Carolina two weeks ago.
Her 39-year-old brother was found dead at his home in Panther Creek in Wallburg following what police have described as a domestic incident on August 3rd last.
Mr Corbett’s American wife Molly Martens – who previously worked as his childrens au pair following the death of their mother – has been questioned by police in relation to his death.
It has been reported that her father Thomas Martens, a retired FBI agent, has also been voluntarily questioned about his son in law Jason Corbett’s death.
A social media campaign ‘Bring Jack and Sarah home’ has been launched to highlight the case of the children who are currently in the care of their step mother in America.
Campaigners have 500 candles which they are inviting people to light to show their solidarity with the Corbett family and the children’s maternal grandparents and relatives.
The candlelight vigil will take place at 8.15pm on Tuesday night at City Hall in Limerick and the Mayor of Limerick Cllr Jerry O’Dea is expected to address the crowd.
