Heavenly messages

As O’connor was held on remand, denying attempted murder and GBH (Grevious Bodily Harm) with intent, Joleen was a prisoner in her own body. For 17 long months, she suffered silently.

She was transferred to Musgrave Park Hospital for rehabilitation, but all she ever managed was to crack one eye open. Repeated scans showed no signs of life.

We tried everything. Her sister Christine sang to her and brushed her hair. We painted her nails and spritzed her favourite Ted Baker perfume onto her skin.

But Joleen’s body was just a shell. My radiant girl had gone.

In March 2018 we won the legal right to withdraw treatment.

Joleen was moved to the Northern Ireland Hospice. On April 26th, as her breathing slowed, I was allowed to climb into bed with her and take her in my arms.

‘Don’t worry darling, you can go now,’ I soothed. ‘Everything is OK, we’re going to get justice. That evil Micky won’t get away with this. Your son is safe. You can go in peace now, my love.’

Over the rainbow

Softly, I began to sing Somewhere over the rainbow to my girl. Joleen’s nurse, who was sitting with us, joined in.

‘Look,’ the nurse gasped, pointed out the window. It had been a showery day and a rainbow had broken out across the sky.

It was radiant and brightly coloured – and as it shone outside, Joleen took her last breaths. She was just 27 years old.

I stared at her rainbow through a fog of tears. I knew my beautiful girl had grown her angel wings.

Not long after I saw Joleen’s shadow standing beside my son at the top of the landing. I realised then she’d always be with us.

Micky’s charge was changed to murder, but still he denied his

Joleen sent me a beautiful rainbow

involvement until 3 February 2020, When, on the first day of his trial at Downpatrick Crown Court, he changed his plea to guilty.

Special sign

As we headed out down the court steps, I looked up to the sky, and there it was.

A beautiful bright rainbow. ‘Joleen’s soul is singing too,’ I smiled. I knew my girl was watching over us, that she was pleased that justice had been done.

Micky was given a life sentence on 2 July and told he’d serve at least 16 years in prison.

Nothing can ever bring my Joleen back, but I often smell her perfume around the house.

Sometimes when I’m sitting in the living room at night, I feel her stroking my shoulders.

I’ll never stop speaking out and being Joleen’s voice.

If you’re in an abusive relationship, please get out, stay out and get yourself somewhere safe. It’s so important that you do.

Every time I see a rainbow, I smile, thinking of my bright, beautiful girl.

I know they’re her message to me, her reminder that she’s always by my side.

My own, sweet angel.