The family of a woman murdered by her husband in Dublin almost three years ago has urged anyone who is in a situation where there is domestic violence to seek help.
Alan Ward, 54, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife, Catherine Doyle, 41, at their home in Clondalkin in March 2019.
Ward stabbed Ms Doyle to death in their bedroom on the night of 1 March 2019. He then threatened to kill their 23-year old-son Adam when he tried to help.
Adam told his father's trial that his parents often argued, that his father would punch his mother as well as put her down and insult her.
Alan Ward claimed his responsibility for the killing of his wife was diminished, because of the effects of a stroke he suffered in 2017, but the jury rejected his defence.
He had been convicted of assaulting his wife in 2002, and gardaí had been called to the house on five previous occasions. Ms Doyle had left the family home a number of times.
Ward had also stabbed a neighbour with a samurai sword at the family's previous home in Tallaght.
The court heard Ms Doyle was a kind-hearted, bubbly woman who cared for her three sons and always put them first.
In a letter read to the court, Ward said he was ashamed of what he had done and would change it if he could.
Mr Justice Tony Hunt said the case was one of the continuing conveyor of tragic cases which he said, spring from domestic violence. He said the nature of her sons' loss was clear and profound.
In a statement read outside court, on behalf of the family, they said it was a great feeling knowing their mother was loved by so many people and they now wanted privacy so they could heal.
They said anyone in a domestic violence situation should seek help.
Detective Sergeant Sean Cosgrove said he wanted to reiterate that call on behalf of An Garda Síochána.
He said there was help available and anyone in an abusive or relationship should come forward.
During the trial, Adam told the jury that he emerged from his room after hearing a bang and saw his father in the doorway of his parents' bedroom striking downwards.
When Adam asked what he was doing, his father told him to get away from him "or I'm going to kill you," swiped at him with the blade and lunged towards him.
Adam stepped backwards, out of the way of the knife, and ran downstairs.
When he saw his father following he quickly unlocked the front door and ran across the street to where he saw a small group of people. He told them what had happened and one of them called gardaí.
Following the verdict, Mr Justice Tony Hunt exempted the jury from further service for 14 years.
