THE CHILDREN OF Jason Corbett have been placed under the guardianship of his sister Tracey and her husband David Lynch.

The Irish Daily Mail’s Catherine Fagan, who is in North Carolina, told Newstalk Radio this morning that the children must remain in the US until Thursdays’s scheduled proceedings are dealt with.

It is believed that both parties are required to be in court for the proceedings.

Jason Corbett (39) sustained fatal head injuries during an alleged assault in his North Carolina home earlier this month.

His two children from his first marriage, Jack and Sarah, have been in the care of their stepmother Molly Martins – who is a suspect in the case.

The children’s mother Mags Corbett died from an asthma attack in 2006.

John Corbett, Jason’s older brother, was interviewed on Today with Keelin Shanley earlier.

Corbett said that everything hasn’t been finalised yet but the family have their “fingers crossed” about tomorrow’s hearing.

It’s their rightful place to be. It will bring so much relief to all the pain in our hearts to hopefully have Jack and Sarah home soon to where they belong.

Those poor children must be so traumatised by all this. Sarah and especially Jack … he remembers his poor mum dying.

Corbett added that the children are “resilient” but will need “so much nurturing and care” after the trauma of recent weeks.

Lynch previously told RTÉ’s Drivetime her brother wanted his children to be raised here.

Hundreds of people attended a candlelit vigil for the family at Limerick City Hall last night.

- with reporting from Órla Ryan

Originally published: 15.05