Molly Martens Corbett and Tom Martens have both been released from prison in North Carolina, having completed the remainder of their sentences for the manslaughter of Limerick businessman Jason Corbett.
Molly Martens Corbett was released from custody at North Carolina Correctional Institution outside Raleigh.
She was driven away from the prison complex accompanied by two probation officers in a white car bearing the markings of the North Carolina prison service at 8.34am local time (1.34pm Irish time).
Shortly afterwards, Tom Martens left the Caldwell Correctional Centre in Lenoir, North Carolina at about 10.30am local time.
He was collected by members of his family and was driven away by them. He lives in Knoxville, Tennessee and is subject to probation supervision for the next year.
Watch: Molly Martens Corbett leaves prison in North Carolina
The father and daughter agreed a plea bargain with prosecutors in North Carolina last autumn, under which they accepted manslaughter charges in return for prosecutors dropping murder charges in the case.
Earlier, Jason Corbett's family in Limerick said they are deeply disappointed at what is to unfold today.
In a statement to RTÉ News, the family said: "After a nine-year battle for justice, we are deeply disappointed by the impending release of Tom and Molly Martens."
The family said Molly Martens Corbett and Tom Martens are responsible for the "senseless and brutal" killing of Jason Corbett which left his two children "orphaned".
"Jason was drugged and they beat him with a brick and a baseball bat while he was unable to defend himself. Molly and Tom Martens left the room without a mark on either of them.
"The heinous actions of Tom and Molly Martens not only took Jason's life in a malevolent, cruel and vicious manner but they also set about to tarnish his reputation and use his children in a self-serving attempt to evade accountability.
"Despite the gravity of their crime and the immense loss they inflicted, they will be freed today after serving just four years and three months," the statement said.
"As Jason's family, we vow to tirelessly uphold his honourable legacy and seek justice to preserve his memory.
"Amidst this sombre occasion, we draw solace from witnessing Jack and Sarah, the remarkable children Jason left behind, blossom into exceptional individuals he would undoubtedly be proud of.
"Our heartfelt gratitude extends to the unwavering support from the communities of Davidson County in North Carolina and Limerick in Ireland, who stood by our side throughout this harrowing ordeal that no family should endure.
"We remain resolute in our pursuit of truth, justice, and the protection of Jason's cherished memory," added the statement.
Last November, Molly Martens Corbett and Tom Martens were sentenced to a minimum of four years and three months for the voluntary manslaughter of 39-year-old Jason Corbett in 2015.
The Limerick business executive first met Molly Martens when she travelled to Ireland to care for his two children after the death of his first wife.
The two developed a relationship, married and moved to the United States, settling near Lexington, North Carolina, close to Mr Corbett's work.
Jason Corbett found dead at family home in August 2015
When emergency services were called to the family home in August 2015, they found Mr Corbett dead, beaten with a baseball bat and a paving brick.
Tom and Molly Martens were convicted of murder in 2017 but appealed the conviction, which was later quashed. They were released on bail pending a retrial.
But they agreed a plea deal with Davidson County's District Attorney, who accepted a plea of guilty to voluntary manslaughter in return for dropping murder charges.
They were sentenced to a minimum of four years and three months in prison at a hearing last November - but that sentence was to include time already served.
Tom Martens' lawyer, Jay Vannoy, predicted then the pair would serve just seven months extra, and that has proven to be the case.
A mix-up by the local and state prison authorities almost saw the pair released last December, just weeks after sentencing.
A public outcry followed and the pair were transferred to state prisons to complete the remainder of their sentences.
They were expected to be released at the end of this month, but a further recalculation of the sentences and the time already served reduced the term slightly, and today was set as their definitive release date.
At sentencing last November, Judge David Hall directed that Molly Martens undergo psychiatric and psychological evaluation by prison medical authorities and be given all appropriate medical supports whilst in prison.
North Carolina’s prison authorities told RTÉ News they always follow a judge's instructions, but could not discuss individual cases due to state and federal medical privacy laws.
Tom and Molly Martens will be subject to one year of post-release supervision by probation services, but they are not required to reside in the state of North Carolina, which has reciprocal probation monitoring arrangements with other US states.
As convicted felons, they are not allowed to reside at the same address. Tom Martens' family home is in Knoxville in Tennessee.
