Woman and teenager charged with murder of Limerick woman Scarlett Faulkner

MURDER charges have been preferred in the case of a woman and a teenage girl who are charged in connection with the death of Limerick woman Scarlet Faulkner earlier this year.

The pair, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared before a special sitting of Nenagh District Court this Wednesday for a procedural hearing. which lasted less than 15 minutes.

Detective Garda Colum Godfrey and Detective Garda Seamus Kelly gave evidence of separately charging the defendants with murder, prior to the court sitting.

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Judge Marie Keane was told neither made any reply when the charge was formally put to them.

Scarlett Faulkner, a 29-year-old mother-of-one from Longpavement, Limerick city, was allegedly attacked at the R494 Birdhill, County Tipperary, on Saturday, March 21. She died in hospital three weeks later.

The now 17-year-old girl was previously charged with assault causing serious harm to Ms Faulkner while the 40-year-old woman was previously charged with violent disorder and endangerment.

After the murder charges were preferred, Sgt Cathal Godfrey said the DPP had directed that those charges be withdrawn.

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.

In each case, Judge Keane informed the accused that she does not have the power to grant bail and that she could only remand them in custody.

Sgt Godfrey advised the court that efforts are underway to expedite the preparation of the books of evidence, indicating they should be complete by July 23 - before the end of the current legal term.

He also asked the court to direct the release of psychiatrist report, relating to the 17-year-old girl, to the prosecution.

The 40-year-old woman and teenage girl will appear before Nenagh District Court again this Friday, July 17, for a procedural hearing via video-link.

Judge Marie Keane said there was a “little bit” of difficulty at present due to the ongoing strike by solicitors.

As a result, the two accused were not formally represented which Judge Keane said was “unfortunate” due to the nature of their “extremely serious” charges.

She asked solicitors John Herbert and Pauric Nesbitt, who were present in court, to “have a conversation” with the defendants following the conclusion of the hearing.

Sergeant Godfrey also asked the court to direct that nothing be posted on social media that might interfere with the accused person’s rights to a fair trial.

She also imposed reporting restrictions.