This article is from page 24 of the 2012-09-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 24 JPG
A MAN and a woman charged with the neglect and ill treatment of seven children have been returned for trial.
The two appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday. In separate charges, it is alleged that the man and woman did willfully assault, ill-treat, neglect, abandon a child in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to the child’s health or seriously affect their well being, contrary to Section 256 of the Children’s Act.
The woman is facing eight charges of neglect. The man is facing six charges of neglect and two charges of sexual assault.
The alleged offences took place on dates unknown between March 2001 and July 2010. The charges relate to seven children.
The man and woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, both have addresses in Clare. Inspector John Galvin requested an amend- ment concerning the wording of two charge sheets in relation to the man.
Defence solicitor John Casey consented to the amendments. Garda Irene O’Flynn of Ennis Garda Station gave evidence of having served the books of evidence on both co-accused.
Insp Galvin said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had consented for both persons to be returned for trial to the next sittings of Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on October 16.
Legal aid was granted for Mr Casey, one junior counsel and one senior counsel. Mr Casey said, “They are very serious charges.”
Mr Casey requested a change in his client’s bail conditions to allow him to meet two of his sons.
Insp Galvin said he had “reservations considering the nature of the charges.”
Judge Durcan refused the application. The man was remanded on continuing bail, on the same terms heretofore, to appear at the next sitting of Ennis Circuit Criminal Court.
Solicitor for the woman, Tara Godfrey, requested that the court impose reporting restrictions. Judge Durcan said reporting restrictions had previously been imposed.
He said the restrictions would continue to apply. Legal aid was approved for Ms Godfrey and one junior counsel.
The woman was remanded on continuing bail to appear again at the next sittings of Ennis Circuit Criminal Court.