The family and friends of a beautiful young Co Donegal woman killed in her home six years ago will gather to remember her today.
Jasmine McMonagle was killed by then-partner Richard Burke at her home at Forest Park, Killygordon on January 4th, 2019.
The mother-of-two, aged 28, was killed after Burke, 32, went berserk during a three hour stand-off with Gardai.
He later pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ms McMonagle but pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of the young mum.
Psychiatrists agreed that Burke was suffering from a mental disorder at the time of the killing which substantially diminished his responsibility.
The jury took just one hour to agree a unanimous decision of manslaughter and Burke was jailed for a total of 14 years and must undergo five years of post-release supervision and psychiatric care.
Family and friends will gather at Jasmine’s tree to remember the beautiful young Donegal woman today at The Diamond in Castlefinn..
At Burke’s sentencing hearing, Jasmine’s heartbroken mother Jacqueline told how her “world fell apart” when Jasmine’s life and future were “horrifically taken from her” by Burke.
She paid tribute to her beautiful daughter describing her as “kind and generous” who lived for her two girls.
She added that Christmas was always a special time for them but that the festive season “means nothing to me any more” and now spend Christmas at their mother’s grave.
Many are expected to gather for Jasmine’s Memorial Walk today which takes place at 3pm at The Diamond in Castlefinn, the Donegal border village where Jasmine was from.
Following the walk, family and friends will gather around a tree which was planted in Jasmine’s memory to remember happier times spent with Jasmine.
