Children of Jason Corbett placed under guardianship of their aunt and uncle

Wayne Corbett (39) was speaking at a candlelight gathering for his niece and nephew, who are at the centre of a custody battle in North Carolina.

Jason Corbett’s remains were repatriated last week with the help of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust but the family said his funeral would not take place until his children were home.

The development, which was still unfolding as the crowds lit over 500 candles and showed support, is said to a huge relief to the children’s relatives in what has been nothing but a “nightmare” and tragic series of events.

Jack and Sarah Corbett had been in the care of their step mother since their father was found dead and had not been allowed to see Ms Lynch and her husband David who were appointed legal guardians following the death of their mother Mags Corbett nine years ago from an asthma attack. Sarah and especially Jack … he remembers his poor mum dying. I was over there for two weeks with him and we had a great time over there.

“[She] could have avoided all of this by just humanely handing these children back to their rightful family”.

Hundreds of people attended a candlelit vigil for the family at Limerick City Hall last night. Those poor children must be so traumatised by all this.

“She and her family even obstructed us from getting my brother back to Ireland for two days”, Mr Corbett told the RTE show.

“They will need so much nurturing and care over the next few years…”

Ms Martens and her father Thomas, 65, are “persons of interest” in the police investigation into Mr Corbett’s death, however they have not been officially named as suspects.

Investigating officers say they are not looking for anyone outside of the home in relation to the incident.

Following their father’s death, the children were put in the care of their stepmother Molly Martens.

The children were brought to the Davidson Department of Social Services Office in Lexington, where they waited until they were collected by Tracey and David Lynch on Monday night.

It is now expected that Thursday’s planned custody proceedings will be dissolved – but both parties must still attend, and the guardianship order states the children must remain in North Carolina until those proceedings end.

The family hope to be able to bring them back to Ireland by next Saturday, sources close to the family have said.

“It’s been disgusting for the children”, she added.