Daena's family 'heartbroken' after Cork murder of 'loving mother, daughter, sister, and friend'
Young mother Daena Walsh found in burning apartment with 25 knife wounds
The “demonic and horrific” murder of 27-year-old Daena Walsh at her home in Midleton has left two children motherless and her family absolutely heartbroken by the ‘evil’ actions of her partner.
31-year-old Adam Corcoran who denied murder and arson has been found guilty by the unanimous decisions of a jury and now he is commencing a sentence of life imprisonment for murder and a concurrent term of 15 years for arson.
He pleaded not guilty at the outset of the trial on Monday, March 9, to murdering mother of two, Deana Walsh at their home at John Barry House, Midleton, County Cork, on August 2, 2024, and arson of the apartment.
Today, the jury of eight men and four women at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork told Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford that they had reached unanimous verdicts.
They found him guilty of murdering the 27-year-old mother of two, for which he was given the mandatory sentence life imprisonment. He was given a concurrent 15-year sentence for arson, on which the jury were also unanimous in finding him guilty.
VERDICTS
They took two hours and 30 minutes of deliberations, which commenced on Wednesday, to reach their verdicts.
Detective Garda Cormac O’Bric recalled on Thursday the 999 call made by the accused claiming that Daena Walsh’s death was from suicide, an assertion he repeatedly made to gardaí until he got into the witness box in this trial and said he killed her, as the defence went on to suggest it was manslaughter rather than murder as there was no intent. The jury did not agree with this.
Det Garda O’Bric said the accused man had 42 previous convictions including counts for carrying knives, a three-year sentence from Australia in 2015 for aggravated robbery, and that he was on bail for possession of knives or other articles from an incident in July 22, 2024, less than a fortnight before the murder.
Brendan Grehan, defence senior counsel, said: “Mr Corcoran asked me to state he accepts the verdicts of the jury, he asked me to express to their sons, and to Daena’s family and friends his deep regret, remorse and sorrow for causing the death of Daena whom he loved very much.”
Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford said: “His actions on August 2, 2024, were truly horrific. Ms Walsh died as a result of a frenzied attack. He stabbed her through her face, torso, chest, and abdomen causing her death. She clearly fought for her life.
"He then attempted to cover up… and he may have intended to dismember her body… Her left arm was almost amputated. This was probably inflicted post-mortem, meaning of course after death. For whatever reason, he decided to abandon this.
“It is of some consolation that he accepted (for the first time when in the witness box at the trial) that he is the person who killed Ms Walsh and she did not die by suicide. My sympathies to (the Walsh family). Daena was a lovely daughter, sister and granddaughter and there were many people in her life who loved her.
“I note his expression of regret. But I will say no more in relation to that.”
Daena’s brothers, Callum and Paul went into the witness box with a photograph of their beloved sister and Callum read the victim impact statement on behalf of their mother, Caroline, grandmother, Phyllis, themselves, Daena’s two children and the wider Walsh family.
Callum said the two children were left without a mother for eternity because of Adam Corcoran’s “demonic and horrific actions”.
Callum said: “Since Daena's murder, the emotional and psychological impact on our family has been profound. One of the most difficult consequences has been the effect on our ability to sleep.
“The greatest loss of all is for Daena's two children… Daena will never be able to watch them grow, guide them, or share in the many milestones of their lives… These are moments every mother deserves to share with her children, and that future has been taken from them forever.
“Trying to manage the emotional consequences of what happened while continuing with everyday life has been extremely challenging.
“I would like the court to remember Daena Walsh for who she truly was — a loving mother, daughter, sister, and friend. She was well known for her coloured hair and mad lipstick colours. She was a thoughtful, kind, and caring person whose life was taken from her in a cruel and violent way.
“I would also like to sincerely thank An Garda Síochána, particularly the Midleton Division, especially Garda Killian Barry and Detective Inspector John O'Connell, and all the gardaí and all other detectives involved in this case, the ambulance crew, and the fire crew for their involvement, and guidance throughout this incredibly difficult process.”
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