THE family of a young west Belfast woman who died two years after she was brutally attacked in her Co Down home will gather at her graveside today for a final special service.
Mother-of-one Joleen Corr suffered catastrophic brain injuries and was left in a coma after her then partner, Michael O'Connor attacked her at her home in Thomas Russell Park in Downpatrick in December 2016.
The 27-year-old spent six months in Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital before doctors told her family there was no possibility of recovery.
The Beechmount woman died in the Northern Ireland Hospice on April 26 2018.
Earlier this month, Michael O'Connor (34) was handed a 16 year jail sentence at Downpatrick Crown Court for killing Joleen.
As part of the investigation into Ms Corr's murder, the authorities had retained her brain and some tissue material as evidence.
Following the conclusion of the case earlier this month, Joleen's mother, Carol Corr was this week informed that the items would be returned to her for burial.
Ms Corr said family and close friends would gather today at her daughter's grave in the City Cemetery so the items can be buried with her.
She said it would be a difficult service for all those who loved Joleen.
"Today, we will gather at Joleen's grave with family and close friends while her wee remains are buried," she said.
"It is hard. This is the last of her journey now and it is going to bring up emotions again and hurt again but we didn't want her wee remains to be disposed off. We wanted them to be buried with her. It was our choice.
"We will say a few prayers. It will be a gathering for everyone who loved her."
