LIVE: Girl, 16, charged with assaulting Scarlett Faulkner 'laughed when shown photo' of Limerick mum

A TEENAGE girl and a woman have appeared before a special sitting of Limerick District Court this Saturday evening in connection with the investigation into the serious assault of Scarlett Faulkner.

The 29-year-old Limerick mum-of-one remains in a critical condition in Cork University Hospital following the incident on the R494, Birdhill, County Tipperary a week ago, on Saturday, March 21.

Reporting restrictions were imposed by Judge Carol Anne Coolican on naming the two accused who are both from Limerick.

A 16-year-old girl was charged with assault causing serious harm to Scarlett Faulkner. Detective Garda Andrea Coonan told the court the teenager made no reply to the charge after caution.

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Det Garda Coonan objected to a bail application made by the juvenile’s solicitor John Herbert. Det Garda Coonan said gardai responded to a serious assault on the R494 in Birdhill on Saturday, March 21.

“A female suffered serious head injuries. A doctor who stopped to give her medical care said she needed critical care. She was airlifted to University Hospital Limerick before being transferred to Cork University Hospital where she currently remains in a critical condition.

“A male at the scene identified a van, with numerous holes in it, as his. He said Ms Faulkner was attacked with an iron bar,” alleged Detective Garda Coonan.

The detective garda alleged that the teenager was a passenger in a car which was in pursuit - for a number of miles - of the van in which a man and Ms Faulkner were travelling in. The court heard the van was allegedly rammed by a car into a crash barrier.

Detective Garda Coonan alleged Ms Faulkner ran from the car but was caught by the teenager.

“There were 11 blows to the head area with the weapon while the person was on the ground. She walked away from the weapon and threw the weapon at the man,” alleged Detective Garda Coonan, who further alleged that forensic analysis on the iron bar has shown blood on the weapon is that of Ms Faulkner's.

Detective Garda Coonan alleged during interviews with gardai the teenager said: “I followed her. I hit her a few times.”

The detective further alleged that the 16-year-old “laughed” when she was shown a photo of Ms Faulkner on the ground.

Detective Garda Coonan objected to bail being granted on a number of grounds including alleging that the teenager would commit further offences.

Mr Herbert, solicitor for the accused teenager, said his client is an ordinary 16-year-old girl. He said a “situation of great violence” was created by adults.

“I don’t believe for a moment she lacks empathy,” said Mr Herbert.

Judge Coolican said the teenager is entitled to the presumption of innocence. The judge said she had listened closely to Detective Garda Coonan’s evidence and Mr Herbert’s submissions.

“In all the circumstances I am going to refuse bail,” said Judge Coolican.

There was no reaction from the teenage girl who was wearing a pink top and black leggings. She was remanded in custody to appear via video-link in Tipperary Town District Court, sitting in Thurles, next week.

A woman, aged in her 40s, who also cannot be named, was charged with reckless endangerment, violent disorder, and two counts of burglary at the same special sitting of Limerick District Court.

Detective Garda Seamus Kelly alleged that the woman was the driver of the vehicle which pursued and rammed a van on the R494, Birdhill on Saturday, March 21.

The detective garda alleged that her driving forced another motorist to take evasive action and narrowly missed a cyclist.

Det Garda Kelly alleged that the woman “instigated the melee” in Birdhill and there were a number of people with weapons in the car she was driving.

The detective further alleged the defendant “broke up” a caravan with weapons at a different location.

Det Garda Kelly objected to a bail application made by the woman’s solicitor Darach McCarthy. The detective garda outlined garda concerns over alleged “reprisal attacks and intimidation of witnesses” and a “feud”.

Mr McCarthy said his client “did not lay a hand on the injured party (Ms Faulkner)”. Det Garda Kelly said the investigation is still ongoing.

Mr McCarthy said the woman is the mother of a number of young children who reside with her and asked the judge to grant her bail so she can continue rearing her family. He said she doesn’t have a passport and hasn't tried to evade gardai.

Judge Coolican said the woman is entitled to the presumption of innocence. The judge said she had listened closely to Det Garda Kelly’s evidence and Mr McCarthy's submissions.

“In all the circumstances I am going to refuse bail,” said Judge Coolican.

There was no reaction from the woman who was wearing a grey, black and white tracksuit. She was remanded in custody to appear via video-link in Tipperary Town District Court, sitting in Thurles, next week.

The woman blew a kiss to family members as she was taken into custody.

There were over 30 members of An Garda Siochana between uniformed and plainclothes members in the body of the court.