Man to be sentenced for manslaughter of mother of one in May
Olivia Kelleher
A man who was found not guilty of murder but guilty of the manslaughter of a 34-year-old woman by reason of diminished responsibility will be sentenced in May.
Eight women and four men spent three hours deliberating at a trial at the Central Criminal Court in Cork last month before finding Sean Egan (39) guilty of the manslaughter of mother of one, Sharon Crean, in December 2022.
Egan of Lios na Slí, Rathmiles, Portarlington, Co Laois was charged with the murder of his partner on December 14th 2022 at her apartment at College Avenue in Mountmellick, Co Laois.
The two week trial mainly consisted of psychiatric evidence. The evidence was that MsCrean had suffered thirteen stab wounds and two incised wounds.
She was also struck with a Himalayan rock candle holder. A number of stab wounds entered the chest cavity and were fatal.
On Monday, defence barrister Ray Boland asked that the case be adjourned for sentencing on May 15th next.
Victim impact statements will be heard at the next hearing, and an updated psychiatric report will be furnished to Judge Siobhan Lankford for her consideration.
Egan, who appeared in court via video link, was further remanded in custody to appear before the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork in May.
Meanwhile, the jury at the trial was told that both the State and defence psychiatrists agreed that Egan had been suffering from a mental disorder at the time of the offence.
However, it was determined that the accused was still able to know the nature and the quality of the act involved.
In their reports, Egan was variously described as being "impervious to reason", "psychotic at time of interview”, and suffering a " psychotic disorder with potential diagnosis of schizophrenia.”
However, psychiatrists on both sides agreed that a verdict of not guilty by virtue of insanity was not applicable in the case.
Crean was laid to rest in Saint Peter and Paul’s Cemetery in Portlaoise on December 19th, 2022, following her requiem mass at the church of the same name.
She was described as a positive and kind person who had a deep love for her young son.
Originally from Arklow in Co Wicklow, Crean had lived in Laois for many years. She was the much-loved eldest daughter in a family of seven.
