Woman accused of child cruelty in Laois

A court heard a book of evidence can’t be served on a woman who is accused of child cruelty because a co-accused is out of the jurisdiction. 

The woman (43), who has a Laois address and cannot be named due to reporting restrictions, is accused of two counts of cruelty to children on dates between September 1, 2021 and March 12, 2023. She is further accused of eight counts of false imprisonment on dates between March 12, 2023 and July 11, 2023.

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said the case was before the court for service of the book of evidence and it had been marked peremptory against the State for that purpose.   

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said there is a co-accused and “we cannot serve the book on this lady till he is located”. 

Detective Garda Elaine Conlon said the DPP directions were to serve the books on both defendants but the man is no longer in the country. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said nothing had changed since the last date they were in court. 

Det Conlon said she is in touch with interpol in relation to locating the co-accused. “I can’t serve the book, he is definitely not in the country,” she said. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said the case was before the court in November of 2025 and “was marked peremptory against the State” on that day. She said the delay was not on her client’s part and the woman had been in court on every date she was required. 

Det Conlon asked for more time so that she could liaise with Interpol in relation to the co-accused. She said she would be seeking extradition and she was confident the man could be located. 

Judge Catherine Ryan noted the extradition process would involve further delays. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client’s life was “essentially on hold” while this was going on. 

Judge Ryan said she was concerned about the seriousness of the charges. She requested a progress report on what was happening with Interpol. She expressed a reluctance to strike the charges out due to their serious nature but said “I think there is potentially going to be a strike out”. 

Judge Ryan adjourned the case to Portlaoise District Court on April 13 for a progress report. She imposed reporting restrictions preventing the identity of the accused being revealed and marked the case peremptory against the State.