Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 9781Manslaughter · Co. Laois · 14 Dec 2022

Victim impact statements read in Sharon Crean manslaughter case, Mountmellick

Sharon Crean (35) was stabbed 13 times on 14 December 2022 at College Avenue in Mountmellick, County Laois, and died that day. Her partner, Sean Egan (39), admitted to gardaí that he had killed her. In March 2026 he was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by diminished responsibility. Victim impact statements from several family members were read at a sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court in Cork, and sentencing was adjourned until 21 May, with Egan remanded in continuing custody until his next court appearance in Cork.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted1 May
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Sharon Crean, a 35-year-old woman, was stabbed 13 times by her partner, Sean Egan, a 39-year-old man.
  • Sharon Crean died on the day she was stabbed.
  • Egan left the scene and returned 18 minutes later while Sharon Crean was being treated.
Where
The killing took place at College Avenue in Mountmellick, County Laois.
When
The killing took place on 14 December 2022.
Weapon
Sources describe the injuries as stab wounds and also state that Sharon Crean was struck with a Himalayan salt lamp.
Investigation
Egan admitted to gardaí that he had killed Sharon Crean.
Other details
  • Both the State and defence psychiatrists agreed Egan had a mental disorder at the time of the offence.
  • Egan was remanded in continuing custody until his next court appearance in Cork.
Charges
Egan was tried on a charge of murder, and in March 2026 he was found not guilty of murder.
In court
  • In March 2026 Sean Egan was found guilty of manslaughter by diminished responsibility.
  • Victim impact statements from several family members were read at a sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court in Cork.
Sentence
Sentencing was adjourned until 21 May.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatSharon Crean was stabbed 13 times by her partner. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatEgan left the scene and returned 18 minutes later while Sharon Crean was being treated. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatSharon Crean died on the day she was stabbed. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe killing took place at College Avenue in Mountmellick, County Laois. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe killing took place on 14 December 2022. (thejournal.ie)
  • weaponSharon Crean was struck with a Himalayan salt lamp. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationEgan admitted to gardaí that he had killed Sharon Crean. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtSean Egan was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by diminished responsibility. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtVictim impact statements from several family members were read at a sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court in Cork. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceSentencing was adjourned until 21 May. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherBoth the State and defence psychiatrists agreed Egan had a mental disorder at the time of the offence. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherEgan was remanded in continuing custody until his next court appearance in Cork. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 May2026
    Convictedthejournal.ie, first report
    Family of woman stabbed 13 times 'haunted' by what her final moments must have been like

    Reports the victim impact statements from Sharon Crean's family at the sentencing hearing, the court's adjournment of sentencing to 21 May, and Egan remaining in custody.

    victim, Sharon Crean, 35, female, irish (judged from name)Sharon Creanconvicted, Sean Egan, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean Egan