A Kirkby pub paid a touching tribute to a "bubbly" nan stabbed to death in a car park.
Karen Dempsey died at the age of 55 after suffering a stab wound to the chest near to the Brambles pub, on Cherryfield Drive, in Kirkby town centre, shortly after 8pm on Monday, August 22. Her son Jamie Dempsey appeared before Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, charged with her murder.
Ms Dempsey was allegedly been trying to break up a fight behind the Brambles before her death having watched Liverpool FC's game with Manchester United in the pub. The 55-year-old was rushed to hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
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A photo of Karen was put behind the bar of the Premiere pub in Kirkby town centre where she was a regular. Pub manager Barry Johnson told the ECHO Karen will be sadly missed by everyone at the pub and the photo was put up in her memory.
Barry said Karen was well liked by other punters at the Premiere and she would regularly do karaoke. Barry told the ECHO: "She was bubbly, she was always smiling. She always had a good word to say and this is the truth, I used to have a laugh with her."
Jamie Dempsey, 32, of Brechin Road, Kirkby, was charged with Karen's murder earlier this week. Jamie Dempsey was also charged with possession of a bladed article, s18 wounding with intent and affray.
He appeared before Liverpool Crown Court on Friday via video link to HMP Altcourse wearing a grey Under Armour t-shirt and sporting short brown hair and a beard.
He was not asked to enter a plea to the count or to charges of wounding with intent, affray and possession of a bladed article in a public place. Dempsey will appear back before the same court on November 14, with a five-day trial scheduled for February 20, 2023.
Karen's family paid tribute to her in a statement issued via Merseyside Police following her death. The tribute read: "Karen was a beautiful, vivacious and compassionate woman who always had a smile on her face and lit up a room. Her zest for life was infectious, and it left others breathless.
"She loved being surrounded by her family and friends. Karen was dedicated to her work and in helping others she made a real difference to people’s lives.
"She was a fantastic advocate for social justice for more than 30 years, and her loss will be felt right across Kirkby. As a family, we are devastated by her untimely death.
"It was her willingness to help that lead to her being cruelly taken from us. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends.
"Her death has left a huge void in our lives. We would like to thank the police for their investigations and the emergency services who fought so hard to save her life."
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