A young mother of an eight-week old baby has been charged in connection with the multiple stabbing of another woman on the grounds of an Ennis primary school on Saturday.
At a special sitting of Ennis District Court yesterday, Charlene Sherlock (22) of Dromard, Lahinch Road, Ennis was charged with assault causing harm of Nicole Keane (23) in the grounds of the Holy Family School in Ennis last Saturday at about 5pm.
Ms Sherlock - who gave birth to her first baby on February 12th last - was also charged with producing a steak knife during the course of a dispute at the Holy Family School.
Ms Keane, who is also from Ennis,today remained in a stable condition at Cork University Hospital after sustaining multiple stab wounds to the upper body.
Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Gda Colin Egan told the court that Ms Sherlock replied “sorry’ when charged at 10.20pm last night.
“We anticipate that further more serious charges will be brought against Ms Sherlock arising from the incident related to these charges,” he said.
Ms Sherlock’s solicitor, Tara Godfrey said that her client is unemployed and would be applying for legal aid.
"It is a very serious alleged offence and legal aid is unlikely to be refused," Judge Mary Larkin said.
However, Insp John Galvin said gardai would be objecting to legal aid for the accused as Ms Sherlock "has considerable assets".
Objecting to bail, Insp Galvin said gardai were objecting based on the seriousness of the charge, the weight of the evidence and other factors.
Garda Egan said that there is very good quality CCTV of the alleged assault, while there is also an independent witness.
Ms Godfrey said the weapon used in the assault did not belong to Ms Sherlock. Ms Godfrey said her client has been suffering from post natal depression following the birth of her baby in February. “We are making an argument in respect of self defence concerning these charges,” Ms Godfrey said, adding that if bail was granted, Ms Sherlock could reside with her father at Dromard, Ennis .
Ms Godfrey told the court that Ms Sherlock’s mother passed on in 2008. Ms Sherlock’s father, James was in court for today’s hearing.
Ms Godfrey said: “My client is local. If granted bail, she would sign on as many times as the court saw fit and other conditions the court would impose.”
She added: “The State has already stated that further more serious charges are being contemplated and accordingly it is likely that this matter will drag for out for a considerable time and it would be unfair on my client to be in custody for such a period.”
Judge Larkin refused bail and remanded Ms Sherlock in custody. The accused began to weep after Judge Larkin made her ruling.
Judge Larkin remanded Ms Sherlock to appear before Ennis District Court on Wednesday and the application for legal aid was also adjourned until same day.
