Mother accused of attempting to kill girl awaits bed at Central Mental Hospital

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLONMONEY NATIONAL SCHOOL was a hive of activity on Saturday morning as hundreds attended the official opening of a new Astro turf facility.

Pupils, parents, extended family members and plenty of politicians were in attendance as the ribbon was cut by Clare senior hurler John Conlon and former Clare dual star Carol O’Leary.

A joint venture between the school and Bunratty Cratloe FC, the facility will cater for the growing numbers at the school situated in the parish of Newmarket-on-Fergus but which has a catchment area drawing students from Shannon, Sixmilebridge and Cratloe.

At present, 209 students are enrolled in the primary school.

THE 46-year old mother accused of attempting to murder her eight year daughter is awaiting a bed at the Central Mental Hospital where she is due to undergo a forensic psychiatric assessment.

At Ennis District Court today, the woman appeared for the fifth time in court in connection with being charged with attempting to murder her daughter at temporary accommodation in Clare the two were staying at the time of September 27th last year.

The accused requires the services of a Russian interpreter for the court hearings and after the interpreter told her the content of the exchanges between Judge Alec Gabbett and the woman’s solicitor, Tara Godfrey in her case, the woman broke down and cried.

After Judge Gabbett was able to see the woman weeping via video link from the women’s wing at Limerick prison, Ms Godfrey told Judge Gabbett “remand in prison has been very distressing for her”.

Judge Gabbett told the court that the accused is awaiting a bed at the Central Mental Hospital under Section 15 of the Criminal Law Insanity Act.

Ms Godfrey said that her client is still waiting on the Book of Evidence in the case and it is now 71 days since she has been charged. Ms Godfrey said that the Book of Evidence is required for a proper forensic psychiatric assessment at the time of the commission of the alleged offence to be carried out on her client.

Ms Goffrey said that there “is an urgency” attached to the case. Ms Godfrey said another problem she has in the case is that her client has an application for bail before the High Court but for the High Court to release her client on bail, it requires a report from the Central Mental Hospital.

Sgt Aiden Lonergan told the court that the case is being given "the highest priority”. Sgt Lonergan said medical reports have been received but have to be put in a statement format for the Book of Evidence.

The court previously extended the accused woman’s legal aid certificate to cover a forensic psychiatric report after Ms Godfrey stated that her client “had been in psychiatric in-patient treatment from September up to the date she was brought to the Garda Station so we have a chain of custody of my client since the alleged event”.

In the aftermath of the alleged attempted murder last September, the young girl’s condition was described as “critical” after she was allegedly stabbed multiple times at her accommodation. After the girl subsequently underwent emergency surgery at Crumlin Children’s Hospital a Garda spokesman said she was “out of danger”.

The accused was first arrested and brought to Ennis Garda Station for questioning on March 14th and brought before a special sitting of Ennis District Court the following day when she was charged.

The accused made ‘no reply’ after charge and caution.

Judge Gabbett remanded the woman in custody via video-link to appear again at Ennis District Court to June 14.