Linda Dwyer lives with ‘dread’ after her daughter, Frances, was brutally murdered by her boyfriend, Anthony Hoey.
Frances Dwyer was stabbed in a savage and sustained attack. Anthony Hoey, aged 50, was a drug addict. He was jailed on March 5 and received a minimum of 21 years. Frances, aged 48, had known Hoey since they were teenagers.
They had an on-off relationship, and she supported Hoey. This continued even after his jail sentence in 2016, when he robbed a taxi driver with a knife and a fake shotgun.
Linda Dwyer read a statement in court, saying life changed after Frances’ murder. She still talks to Frances, saying good morning and goodnight, and still expects Frances to call or visit. She has trouble sleeping, and the attack, which happened on March 30 last year, impacted her mental health.
Linda dreads never seeing her daughter again. She misses calls, visits, and days out, as well as Frances’ laugh. Linda feels her life shattered, and the family lost a massive character. They now live with the pain, and part of Linda died the day her daughter was killed. Kimberley Parrish, a daughter of Frances, also gave a statement.
Kimberley called her mom her best friend and said Frances was her rock. Frances was the only one she could talk to for advice and was an amazing person, a great mother, daughter, and friend. Many lives suffered because of Hoey’s actions.
Hoey had a long criminal record, including assault, robbery, and theft, as well as driving offenses. Before killing Frances, he stole her phones and car, demanding money for drugs.
He called the police, feeling mentally unwell and suicidal, and went to report himself minutes before the attack. However, the police station was closed. He and Frances returned home on Mulwych Road at 12:23 am.
In the next 30 minutes, he stabbed her as Frances tried to defend herself on the sofa. He then stole her car. Police chased him after the car was reported stolen days before. He crashed into a lamppost after a dangerous pursuit.
Hoey refused to talk to police but confessed to prison officers that he had killed Frances. He pleaded guilty to many charges, including murder and theft, as well as aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving. Psychiatrists examined Hoey and found a severe personality disorder.
He also had depressive episodes, but they didn’t reduce his charge to manslaughter. Judge Inman said his disorder wasn’t a major factor and that drugs and alcohol caused the violence. Hoey got life with a minimum of 21 years, and will only be released if deemed safe by a parole board.