A 28-year-old Co Clare woman has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of her husband and three young children, who had to be rescued after their family home was set ablaze almost two years ago.
The woman pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday to committing arson with the substantial risk of death or injury at a house in Purcell Park in Shannon on September 25th, 2005.
She also admitted causing damage to the same house without lawful excuse.
The accused broke down in tears and sobbed as she replied "guilty" to four further charges of the attempted murder of her then husband and three children at the house. Her children were aged between three and seven at the time.
They were taken with their father to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick and treated for smoke inhalation before being discharged a short time later.
Ahead of yesterday's hearing, a barrister for the defence said there were young children involved in this case.
The trial judge Mr Justice Paul Carney directed that the case be subject to the provisions of the Children's Act and advised the press to "take their own counsel."
He put the case back to June 11th for sentence.