*Kilrush Court
A 39-year old Co Clare woman has appeared in court charged in connection with wilfully ill-treating and neglecting three children in her custody in charges spanning a six year period.
At Kilrush District Court, the woman appeared in connection with seven charges in relation to the neglect and ill-treatment of the children at the woman’s family home on dates ranges starting from April 2016 to June 2022.
In the case, the woman faces five separate charges in relation to one girl including four separate assault charges.
The woman is charged with having a child in her custody and did wilfully ill treat and neglect the girl in a manner likely to cause un-necessary suffering and injury to the girl’s health and seriously affect her well on dates between December 1st 2021 to June 13th 2022.
The charge is contrary to Section 246 of the Children’s Act.
The woman is also charged with wilfully assaulting the same girl on a date unknown between May 1st 2022 and June 10th 2022 contrary to Section 246 of the Children’s Act at the family home.
The woman is also charged with assaulting the girl between June 1st 2020 and July 31st 2021 at the family home contrary to Section 246 of the Children’s Act.
The woman faces a further assault charge against the girl at the family home on a date between April 17th 2020 and August 31st 2020.
The woman faces a fourth assault charge against the same girl at the family home on a date between April 17th 2016 and December 31st 2017.
In relation to a boy, the woman is charged with ill-treating and neglecting the boy in a manner likely to cause un-necessary suffering/injury to the child’s health at the family home on dates from December 1st 2021 to June 13th 2022 contrary to Section 246 of the Children’s Act.
The woman is also charged with ill-treating and neglecting a second girl in a manner likely to cause un-necessary suffering/injury to the child’s health at the family home on dates from December 1st 2021 to June 13th 2022 contrary to Section 246 of the Children’s Act.
In evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Garda Tracy Stanley told the court that the woman in response to a neglect and ill-treat charge of the main alleged injured party, the accused replied “I am confused about it”.
The woman did not make replies to the other charges after caution. Garda Stanley said that the cases are go to forward on indictment to the circuit court.
Garda Stanley said that the Book of Evidence in the case should be ready by March and there was no objection to bail for the accused.
The woman is represented by solicitor Darragh Hassett and Judge Alec Gabbett granted legal aid in the case.
Judge Gabbett remanded the woman on bail to appear before Ennis District Court on February 14th next.
