THE DAUGHTER accused of killing her mother by neglect was found guilty at Wexford Circuit Court last week, along with her long-term partner, who was charged with the same offence.
The Enniscorthy couple, who were the first people to be tried for such an offence in Irish history, were found guilty on a count of 11-one following over four hours of jury deliberation.
Eleanor Joel (38) and Jonathan Costen (40) had pleaded not guilty to the charges of the unlawful killing by neglect of Evelyn Joel (59) in January 2006.
The victim’s family openly wept as the verdict was read out, and shock was apparent on all in attendance’s face.
The eight day trial before Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin heard from prosecuting counsel Justin Dillon SC that central to the case was that the victim suffered from multiple sclerosis.
The case had previously been heard in October 2011, when the jury failed to reach a verdict at that time.
The State’s case focused on the last four weeks that she was in the house, in Cluain Dara, Enniscorthy, before being moved to hospital.
It was said that during this time it appeared she had not left her bed.
When ambulance personnel called to the home on New Year’s Day, 2006, they effectively found Mrs. Joel lying in her own filth. She was described as very thin and very pale and covered in nappies and excrement.
State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy gave evidence that Mrs Joel died by pneumonia atWexford GeneralHospitalon January 7, 2006.
She described Mrs Joel as being profoundly ill; which may have been due to sepsis syndrome complicated by infection from bed sores.
[For full story, see this week’s Echo]
