'Not a moment of celebration' says family of Limerick man Jason Corbett following sentencing

"WHILE this is not a moment of celebration for us, we can still find a path to move forward in our lives". 

The words of Tracey Corbett-Lynch, the sister of Limerick man Jason Corbett following the sentencing of his killers on Wednesday. 

After a week long sentencing hearing in North Carolina, Molly and Tom Martens will now serve between seven months and two-and-a-half years in prison having already served three-and-a-half years of a sentence for second degree murder that was imposed in 2017 before it was quashed by North Carolina Supreme Court.

Last week, Tom Martens pleaded guilty to the charge of voluntary manslaughter while his daughter pleaded "no contest" to the same charge relating to the death of the businessman in 2015. 

The father-of-two's sister released a statement on Thursday morning thanking people for their support since Jason's death in his US home. 

"Jack and Sarah have at last had the chance to communicate unencumbered and freely without duress.

Molly and Tom Martens jailed for manslaughter of Limerick man Jason Corbett

"While we may not be satisfied with the sentencing, we would like to acknowledge the dedication and hard work exhibited by the Davidson County Sheriff department and the District Attorney's office throughout the past eight years.

"We are deeply grateful for the support we have received from the people of North Carolina and Ireland. We thank the media for their interest and reporting.

"We kindly ask for privacy as our family processes this experience with the comforting knowledge that Jason will forever hold a place in our hearts and memories".

The first trial in 2017 heard how Tom and Molly Martens beat the father-of-two to death as he lay asleep and helpless in bed.

Tom Martens, a retired FBI agent, claimed he acted in self-defence and alleged Mr Corbett had attacked them.

However, the Corbett family maintained that the businessman was planning to bring his children back to his native Limerick amid increasing concerns over his wife's mental health problems.