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Attempted murder charged to be reviewed after death of Joleen Corr

Joleen Corr with her family
Joleen Corr with her family Joleen Corr with her family

THE death of a woman after 16 months in a vegetative state has prompted prosecutors to review the charge facing a man accused of attacking her.

Mother-of-one Joleen Corr (27) sustained severe brain injuries in the incident at her Downpatrick home in Co Down in late 2016.

Her death on Thursday at the Northern Ireland Hospice in Belfast came after a landmark court judgment that ruled that treatment sustaining her life should be withdrawn due to the pain she was suffering.

Michael O'Connor (32) is on remand in prison awaiting trial for the attempted murder of Ms Corr and grievous bodily harm.

O'Connor, originally from west Belfast but with an address given as Maghaberry prison, denies the charges. No date has yet been set for the trial.

A spokeswoman for the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) said: "We have been informed of the very sad news of the death of the victim in this case.

"The attempted murder charge currently against a 32-year-old man is now to be reviewed. We will continue to keep the victim's family informed of all significant developments in this case."

The development came as the Corr family made preparations for the 27 year-old's funeral which will take place on Tuesday.

Joleen's remains were returned to the family home yesterday afternoon.

The young woman passed away on Thursday morning in the arms of her mother at the north Belfast hospice where she had been moved since a court judgment that ruled that treatment sustaining her life should be withdrawn.

Requiem Mass will take place at 1pm at St Paul's Church on the Falls Road. Burial will take place afterwards in City Cemetery.