Delivered by Kevin Kelly, Ann Corcoran’s nephew
The impact of this terrible crime has changed all of our lives. Our only remaining sister and Aunt has been taken from us, forever. The beautiful memories that she shared with us, about past times with our mother is no longer.
The courts have heard Ann Corcoran described as a 60-year-old woman over and over again, a stereotypical image of an ageing woman springs to mind when we hear these word, but that was not true of Ann. Ann had the most wrinkle free, smooth porcelain skin one has ever seen.
She wore little or no make up because she didn’t need to, she was very beautiful. She walked briskly and with purpose, she always dressed so immaculately and had a great dress sense. Ann was a devoted daughter and wife; she married Jerry when she was age 38 and shortly after she brought her mother to live in her new home at Maulnaskimlehane.
Ann always made sure her Mother was included in all social outings with herself and her new husband. She adored her Mother and was her sole carer up until her death in 2000 and likewise did the same for her husband up until his death in 2008.
Sadly Ann and Jerry never had any children of their own and both of them would have loved to have had them.
Ann’s passions in life were her dogs and music. She liked nothing better than to listen to her Johnny Cash, Big Tom and Joe Dolan albums. She loved a social scene with music; she had a great sense of humour.
Her dogs were adored and better cared for than any we have ever seen, she only fed them with the best dog food type available and strictly adhered to their special dietary needs. She named her dog’s proper names like ‘Roy’, ‘Trudy’, and ‘Clive’, they were more than just pets - they were like her replacement children.
Ann was robbed of that chance to live out her remaining years in the comfort of her friends and family. She had a beautiful home which was always kept in pristine condition.
Having to explain the word ‘murder’ to our children was a terrible task. Trying to protect them from this was next to impossible as it was the topic of conversation from the schoolyard to the media. Ourselves and our children have, and are still experiencing nightmares; there are times when the children don’t want to sleep on their own.
We also feel we were deprived of the opportunity to say a face-to-face goodbye to Ann due to the manner of her murder and subsequent disposal of her body. A closed coffin is no way to say goodbye to our loved one. Over the past year, from the massive search for our Aunt Ann, to the funeral, right up to the trial our family lives have been very difficult, our lives felt like they were on hold.
It saddens us deeply to know, we will never get the opportunity to carry out any plans that we made with her.