The grandmother of two Irish children whose father was found dead at his North Carolina home has said she hopes to get them home to Ireland as soon as possible.
Jason Corbett was found on August 2nd unconscious and unresponsive with head injuries following an alleged assault at his home at Panther Creek Court in Wallburg where he lived with his two children, Sarah (8) and Jack (10), and their stepmother.
Mr Corbett (39), originally from Janesboro in Limerick city, moved to North Carolina four years ago with his children following the death of their mother, Mags Corbett, his first wife. She died in 2006 following an asthma attack.
The two children are currently in the custody of their American-born stepmother. She previously worked as the Corbett family’s au pair.
Police have confirmed they are not looking for anybody outside the family home as part of the ongoing investigation which has been referred to the district attorney’s office. No arrests have been made.
Anxious
Ms Corbett’s mother,
Marian Fitzpatrick
, who lives in Pallaskenry, Co Limerick, said she was anxious to have the children returned to Ireland.
“When we heard about Jason’s death it just brought everything back to us from when Mags died. We never expected anything like this to happen, it has been very tough and we are all just in limbo,” said Ms Fitzpatrick, who last saw the children at Christmas.
Following the death of their mother in 2006, Mr Corbett appointed his sister Tracey Lynch and her husband, David Lynch, legal guardians of his children.
The couple have not been able to see the children since they arrived in North Carolina almost a week ago, and now face a legal battle to have the guardianship recognised. They are expected to attend a custody hearing later this week.
Fund
“I only just spoke to my grandkids once since this happened, I just told them I love them, but I was only allowed to speak to them for a few seconds,” said Mrs Fitzpatrick. “We are all just in bits. We are getting in contact with everybody we can to help us to get the two children home. That is all we want. ”
Mr Corbett’s body has been released to the Corbett family in North Carolina, but they have said they do not wish to bury their brother until they can bring his children home.
A fund has been set up to help his family with travel expenses and legal costs which are expected to run into the tens of thousands of euro.