A mother of six convicted of the manslaughter of a man who had allegedly attacked her home was granted bail today by the Court of Criminal Appeal pending the outcome of her appeal against conviction and sentence.
The three-judge appeal court heard Ms Sarah Craig (34) had taken herchildren to England after the incident in which she stabbed BrianHanley (20), Beechcourt House, Meelick, outside her home at CreganAvenue, Kileely, Limerick, on August 26th 2001.
During a four-day trial the Circuit Court heard Ms Craig stabbed MrHanley with a steak knife after he had bitten her husband, Eamon, on the side of the face during a row outside their home.
The jury was told that during the row outside the Craig home there weresix children inside the house aged from 3 months to 13 years and MrCraig's 84 year-old mother.
Ms Craig admitted stabbing Mr Hanley but said it was to protect herfamily. "My kids were screaming and I was very, very scared andfrightened, " she said.
The Circuit Court was told that Ms Craig had moved her young children to England because the family had been subjected to threats and violentattacks since she was charged with manslaughter.
Ms Justice McGuinness, who presided in the CCA today, said it wasrare enough for a convicted person to be allowed bail pending an appealand the court had to be satisfied that Ms Craig had at least a strongchance of success in her appeal.
It appeared that the main issue in the appeal was that her attacker,arising from the general fight that was going on, came up steps towardMs Craig's house, broke windows and was mounting an attack on thepremises at a time when Ms Craig was getting ready for bed or was in bed and where she had an elderly mother-in-law and six children in fear.
It appeared to the CCA there was a reasonable chance of success asregards Ms Craig's claim of self defence. It appeared that although shewent to reside in England after the incident she always returned forcourt hearings. The court said it would wish to expedite the appealhearing and that a date should be set before the end of the next lawterm.
The court allowed Ms Craig bail in her own surety of €100. She is to reside in Limerick at an undisclosed address and must inform the Gardai if she wishes to visit her children in England and when she will return.