'Not helpful': Judge imposes ban on social media posts about Scarlett Faulkner case
A large number of Ms Faulkner’s family members were in attendance at the special court sitting, many wearing t-shirts which read ‘Justice for Scarlett’
A JUDGE has expressed concern about certain content which has been posted on social media regarding the Scarlett Faulkner case.
Judge Marie Keane made her comments after two people - a 40-year-old woman and a 17-year-old girl - appeared before her charged with murdering the 29-year-old mother-of-one from Limerick city.
Ms Faulkner, who was from Longpavement, died in hospital three weeks after she was allegedly assaulted on the R494 at Birdhill, County Tipperary, on Saturday, March 21.
Following the conclusion of this Wednesday’s procedural hearing, Sergeant Cathal Godfrey sought a court order directing people to refrain from posting about the case on social media.
Granting the application, Judge Marie Keane said it had come to her attention that certain “videos and extracts” had appeared on social media apps “in relation to this matter”, which she commented, is “not helpful” as it is an ongoing case which is before the courts.
She said it is “essential that there is a fair trial” and she expressed a concern that some of the content published on social media could interfere with this.
The judge directed that no videos relating to the case should be posted on social media, particularly on TikTok and Instagram.
The woman and teenager appeared separately before the special court sitting, during which they were informed that books of evidence should be completed by July 23.
The pair, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were remanded in custody and will next appear at Nenagh District Court for a procedural hearing, via video-link, on July 17.
No application was made for bail during the special court sitting and neither defendant was formally represented by a solicitor due to the ongoing dispute over legal aid payments.