Clare woman to face trial for 'wilfully ill-treating and neglecting' children
Book of Evidence served on 39-year-old at Ennis District Court
A 39-year old Co. Clare woman who is accused of "wilfully ill-treating and neglecting" three children in her custody has been sent forward for trial.
At Ennis District Court, the woman appeared to face seven charges in relation to offences which are alleged to have happened at her family home on dates between April 2016 and June 2022.
In the case, the woman faces five separate charges in relation to one girl including four separate assault charges.
After the Book of Evidence was served, solicitor Daragh Hassett noted the seriousness of the charges and he asked Judge Alec Gabbett to extend the legal aid certificate to also include a senior counsel.
Mr Hassett has already obtained legal aid for his client for a junior counsel barrister.
Judge Gabbett granted the application and he formally sent the case forward for trial at the next sittings of Ennis Circuit Court.
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In the case, the woman is charged "wilfully ill-treating and neglecting" a girl who was in her custody in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering and injury to the girl's health and seriously affect her wellbeing.
The charge is contrary to Section 246 of the Children’s Act and the offences are alleged to have happened on dates between December 1, 2021 and June 13, 2022.
The woman is also charged with wilfully assaulting the same girl on a date unknown between May 1, 2022 and June 10, 2022; between June 1, 2020 and July 31, 2021;
The woman is also charged with assaulting the girl at the family home on three other occasions between April 17, 2016 and July 31, 2021.
In relation to a boy, the woman is charged with ill-treating and neglecting him "in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering/injury" to his health at the family home on dates between December 1, 2021 and June 13 2022 contrary to Section 246 of the Children’s Act.
The woman is also charged with ill-treating and neglecting a second girl at the family home on dates between December 1 2021 and June 13, 2022 contrary to Section 246 of the Children’s Act.