I met inmates to share victim trauma of losing someone through violent actions

A GRIEVING mum who met with prisoners in two jails to reveal her pain has said: “I wanted them to understand the trauma that violence causes”.

Janet O’Brien’s 20-year-old son Luke was killed by Jack Hall Ellis, 26 in 2017.

She met with 18 inmates at ­Portlaoise Prison, in Co Laois, and 17 lags at Castlerea Prison, in Co Roscommon, in recent weeks.

A number of the prisoners she addressed are serving time for violent acts and drug offences.

Charity Release asked Janet to visit the jails after The Irish Sun last year revealed how she showed an image of her son as he fought for his life to his killer.

She met Hall Ellis — who killed Luke after a one-punch attack — as part of the Irish Probation Board’s restorative justice scheme.

He was released last year after serving three years and eight months of the five-year sentence he got for unlawfully killing Luke.

In her jail meetings, Janet showed the prisoners the same image of her son in hospital.

She said: “I am so pleased that I participated in this programme because I was able to outline the trauma of losing someone through a violent action.

“I think my experience resonated with the prisoners and if it can help one person think of the ­consequences associated with a violent action then it will have been worth it.

“I hope I got them thinking because when they saw the image of my son in the ­hospital they knew this was the reality of a violence.

“This is also part of Luke’s ­legacy in that hopefully something good can come out of the nightmare that we continue to endure.

“Nothing will change for us but the prisoners now know that the trauma families face does get any easier over time.”

Following her meetings, Janet also received a letter of support from one of the inmates.

‘Very powerful’

It read: “I am writing to thank you for sharing your heart-breaking story of your son Luke. It was a very powerful and eye-opening story to just see how fragile life is.

“All you asked is that he never put another mother and family through what he put you through. I’d like to say Luke would be so proud of you for raising awareness of just how fragile life is.”

‘Understanding of the deep impact’

Janet’s visits were part of the Sycamore Tree programme run here by Release.

A spokesperson told us: “Janet was able to ­provide the inmates with an understanding of the deep impact her son’s death has had on her, her family and the community.

“There was an emotional and empathetic reaction to her story. By sharing her story it’s hoped that it can make someone not engage in ­violence when they have been released.”