‘WHY DIDN’T I SEE THE DECEIT AROUND ME?’

‘DEVASTATED, heartbroken, disgusted and deceived. These are a few words to describe how I have felt about the murder of my mam, since the 29th of May, 2017.

‘My ability to trust people has changed. Processing the amount of lies told to me by members of my close family has led to many sleepless nights.

‘The constant questions I ask myself, could I have prevented this? Why didn’t I see the deceit around me? How could people I called family do such an unspeakable act?

‘The revelation of how my mam was murdered... the cold-hearted way in which she was dismembered, the disgusting way in which it was covered up, and to find out who was involved, will stay with me for the rest of my life. No son should ever have to hear how his mam’s life ended in such a brutal and horrific way.

‘Throughout the trial, my mam was portrayed in such a despicable way, trying to make out that she was a horrible person, which I, my family and friends know she was not. ‘I have been contacted by people who used to work with my mam, and they told me they were horrified about the lies told about her.

‘My mam was only 61. She was healthy have got me through these last three years. The trial was emotional and physically draining. I put all my trust in gardaí, the DPP, the courts and the jury, who I hoped would find the truth in all of this. I have now come to the conclusion I will never know the full truth, and I thank everyone who was involved in getting justice for my mam.

‘I thank the families, the army and the gardaí who found my mam, a horror I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

‘I am at a loss to understand why, after my mam’s murder, they tried to destroy her character. Photographs in the house were destroyed, trying to erase her memory... Throughout the trial, and even now, no compassion, no care, no remorse has been shown .... by those involved.

‘I never got to say goodbye to my mam. I never got to see her face one last time. That was taken from me, and I will never forgive them for that. I hope the sentencing given reflects the part each person had in this terrible crime, not only the actual act, but the callous way it was covered up.’

Found guilty: Stephanie O’Connor, Keith Johnston and Louise O’Connor and she was full of life. To have her taken away from me so cruelly when she had so much life left to live, has left me totally devastated. My mam was a kind, caring and loving person, always willing to help with anything. I think about her all the time, her love of gardening, art, baking, nature, and that she can’t pass this on to my children. ‘My children lost their nana far too early. And not due to ill health, but due to the disgusting acts and lies of others... We had spoken about my mam coming on holidays with my family, but that was not to be. My mam wanted to take a class, and learn a new skill, but instead she found herself drained financially. ‘Why did my mam have to die due to the utter selfishness and laziness of others? ‘I think about my mam’s funeral, and this upsets me beyond belief. There were some there that shouldn’t have been, quietly moving through the funeral and saying horrible things about my mam. Trying to disgrace her name, even at her funeral. It’s unbelievable. ‘The support of my wife and children