Sarah Corbett Lynch, the daughter of Limerick man Jason Corbett, recently appeared on the Late Late Show, where she discussed her harrowing past and the powerful story told in her memoir, A Time for Truth. This memoir sheds light on the murder of her father, who was killed nearly ten years ago by his wife, Molly Martens, and her father, Tom Martens, and explores the devastating impact the event has had on her life.
During the show, host Patrick Kielty was joined by several notable guests, but it was Sarah's story of resilience and heartbreak which captured the attention of viewers. "I lied for Molly," Sarah revealed during the interview, highlighting the coercion she felt at such a tender age. "It was because I loved her and because someone who I loved and trusted was telling me to lie about someone else I loved and trusted, and calling it the truth."
Such revelations have followed years of turmoil for Sarah, who was merely eight when she endured the horrific events surrounding her father's death. Jason Corbett was brutally killed in their North Carolina home by Molly and Tom using cruel methods, including a metal baseball bat and concrete blocks. Following the incident, Sarah recalled the chilling atmosphere of fear and manipulation she experienced. "Nobody asked me was I okay. Nobody gave me a hug. Nobody said ‘Are you okay?’" she lamented, conveying the deep pain and neglect she felt as she navigated her childhood without her father.
Reflecting on the aftermath of her father's murder and the trial, Sarah was particularly pained by how her father was characterized. "It was hard to sit there and listen to it; my dad was portrayed as a stereotypical drunken Irishman, which was completely the opposite of who he was," she noted, expressing her frustration and sadness over the circulation of damaging narratives.
Initially, Molly and Tom were found guilty of second-degree murder and received lengthy prison sentences. But the saga took another turn when the decisions were appealed, and they were released after accepting lesser charges of manslaughter last year. The flood of emotions tied to such developments were not lost on Sarah, who described the clashing feelings of anger, injustice, and grief. She and her brother had to come to terms with the fact their earlier testimonies—regrettably influenced by their stepmother—played a role in the Martens walking free today.
Sarah’s courage to share her story is reflected through her passion for healing. Now eighteen and living near Kilkee, County Clare, she finds solace beneath the ocean waves. "The first time I went under, it was just silent. Like being on an alien planet. You just leave your worries behind you. It’s all about the escaping and coming back to oneself," she expressed, reflecting her ambitions for emotional clarity and healing as she immerses herself back to where it feels safe and worthwhile.
The emotional and physical landscapes of loss, trauma, and endurance are vivid throughout Sarah’s discussion on the show. Her courage to confront the lies of her past brings forth lessons about truth, resilience, and the significance of forging one’s path. A Time for Truth is not merely about the tragedy of her father's death; it speaks to the broader human experiences of love, betrayal, grief, and the necessity of moving forward, no matter the obstacles.
Sarah's story is one of both personal survival and public advocacy. She hopes her memoir not only memorializes her father's legacy but also sparks awareness surrounding the nuances of abuse and trauma, and the importance of seeking the truth, no matter how painful it may be. Her narrative is filled with risks taken, truths laid bare, and the emotional landscapes we must traverse when faced with unspeakable heartache.
The episode of the Late Late Show featuring Sarah Corbett Lynch ran alongside several notable guests, yet her story reverberated most with audiences seeking connection to deep human experiences. Through her words, she aims to reach others who may share similar experiences, encouraging them to confront their pasts and seek out healing—always remembering the importance of truth, no matter how conflicting and complex it may be.