Young Laois mum's family shocked by manslaughter verdict
Sharon Crean died after a frenzied stabbing at her apartment in Mountmellick. Picture provided by her family
THE family of a young Laois woman who was fatally stabbed by her boyfriend are in shock and disbelief, after he was found guilty of manslaughter but not of murder.
Mother-of-one Sharon Crean died a slow and painful death, after she was stabbed 13 times at her apartment in College Avenue, Mountmellick by her then-partner Seán Egan from Rathmiles, Portarlington on 14 December, 2022.
At the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork yesterday afternoon, Egan (39) was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter through diminished responsibility, following a trial that began on Monday 2 March.
The verdict was greeted with anger and dismay by members of Sharon’s family, who attended each day of the harrowing trial.
Sharon’s sister-in-law Leanne Keogh, who lives in Portlaoise, told the today: “What he did to Sharon, you wouldn’t do to an animal. It should be a life for a life. We feel we did not get justice.”
A dearly loved mother of a then-two year old boy, the 35-year-old’s death devastated her six brothers and sisters and their mother, Catherine.
Sharon’s brothers Nigel and Jason Crean, who also live in Portlaoise, attended each day of the trial together with their siblings and other family members.
Leanne said that the family’ went through a horrifying ordeal in court, as they heard graphic details of Sharon’s appalling injuries and had to listen to her last, desperate 999 call.
She said: “It was awful, horrible. We could hear Sharon’s voice getting weaker and weaker. A neighbour also rang 999 at 5.03pm but Sharon didn’t die until 5.41pm.
“We heard that he hit her on the back of the head with a salt lamp, before stabbing her a total of 13 times, including one deep into her heart. With all those awful injuries, she was lying bleeding and in pain for over 40 minutes before she died. It was devastating to hear that.”
Originally from Arklow, Sharon had been living happily in Laois for some years. The eldest daughter in her family, she adored her little son and is described by her siblings as bubbly, kind and caring.
Leanne said: “We know that the verdict will not change anything. It won’t bring Sharon back but we should have got justice. Seán Egan is still looked after, he is still fed and kept warm after taking Sharon’s life. Her little boy has to grow up without her now."
The case was adjourned for mention until 13 April, when a date for sentencing may be set.
