Man sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of of Elinor O’Brien

At around 12.30pm on Tuesday 16 August 2022, Greater Manchester Police received a request for assistance from Northwest Ambulance Service following reports of an injured 22-year-old female at a property on Great Watson Street in Manchester city centre.

Officers attended the scene, and it was quickly established the woman had a stab wound in her groin. The woman was transported to hospital where she received treatment to the injury.

Sadly, the 22-year-old woman did not survive the injury and passed away.

She was later identified to be Elinor O’Brien, her family have been supported throughout this difficult time by specialist officers.

Kevin Mannion (22/11/1977) was arrested at the scene on suspicion of a section 18 assault, he was later charged with Elinor’s murder a section 18 wounding and controlling coercive behaviour. He later appeared at Manchester Magistrates Court and was remanded into custody.

Kevin Mannion

Today, Kevin Mannion was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 23 years for the murder of Elinor O’Brien, wounding with intent and controlling and coercive behaviour.

SIO Duncan Thorpe of GMP’s Major Incident Support Unit said: “Firstly, my thoughts are with Elinor’s family and loved ones. No parent or siblings should have to see a loved one die in this way.

“Elinor was subjected to controlling and coercive behaviour throughout her relatively short relationship with Mannion. He assaulted her a number of times and in the early hours of Sunday 14 August 2022 stabbed her in her left breast.

“Two days later, following an argument Mannion threw Elinor out of his apartment and stabbed her in the groin.

“Elinor sadly died as a result of her injuries despite the best efforts of medical staff.

“Mannion is an extremely dangerous individual. His lack of remorse for Elinor and her family is shameful.”