Two accused of murdering Scarlett Faulkner sent forward to Central Criminal Court
A 40-year-old woman and a 17-year-old girl appeared before Nenagh District Court this Thursday
BOOKS of evidence were formally served on a woman and a teenage girl - accused of murdering mother-of-one Scarlett Faulkner - in Nenagh District Court this Thursday.
The pair, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, were present in court for the short procedural hearings.
Ms Faulkner, aged 29, from Longpavement, Limerick city, was allegedly attacked at the R494 Birdhill, County Tipperary, on Saturday, March 21.
She died in Cork University Hospital three weeks later.
Sergeant Cathal Godfrey gave evidence that he served the book of evidence on the 17-year-old girl at 10.03am.
Judge Marie Keane, presiding, asked the teenager, “How are you?” “Good,” she replied.
The judge said it is a little unusual that the girl’s solicitor was not in the room because of a strike by solicitors.
Judge Keane explained to the juvenile accused that they were moving the case from Nenagh District to the Central Criminal Court which is the criminal division of the High Court.
Sgt Godfrey said he was appearing on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). He made an application for the teenage girl to be sent forward to the present sittings of the Central Criminal Court for trial on indictment. Judge Keane granted the application.
The judge gave an alibi warning to the young defendant. Judge Keane explained that if she has an excuse she can give it to the State within 14 days.
“I don’t have any authority to give you bail. I am going to put you on a particular list for juveniles in the Central Criminal Court,” said Judge Keane.
The teenager, who was wearing blue jeans and a white top, said she understood.
Judge Keane referred to a doctor’s report on the 17-year-old and ordered that therapies recommended by the doctor be implemented in Oberstown Children Detention Campus where she is on remand.
A short time later, the 40-year-old woman charged with murder was brought before the court. She was flanked by three prison officers in the body of the court before entering the witness box.
Sgt Godfrey gave evidence of serving the book of evidence on the accused woman at 10am this Thursday.
He made an application, on behalf of the DPP, that she be sent forward to the Central Criminal Court for trial on indictment. Judge Keane granted the application.
Judge Keane said the woman’s solicitor is not in court due to the solicitors’ strike.
The judge gave her an alibi warning and said that she doesn’t have the authority to grant bail.
The accused woman, wearing a wine-coloured tracksuit, said she understood. She was remanded in continuing custody.
The woman and teenage girl will next appear before the Central Criminal Court in Dublin.
Judge Keane imposed continuing reporting restrictions in the case.
A number of members of the Faulkner family were present in Nenagh District Court, wearing T-shirts with a photo of Scarlett’s face on the front.