Mother charged with murder

A WOMAN was charged yesterday with the murder of her daughter in Cork almost two years ago.

Jessica Prendergast, aged 21, was found in a pool of blood in a downstairs room of a house in Blackpool on July 29, 2006.

A postmortem examination revealed she died from multiple stab wounds to the chest. Her mother, Mary Prendergast, aged 48, has been in psychiatric care since her death.

Ms Prendergast, with an address at 3 Glenna Cottages, Commons Road, Cork, was transferred from the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum yesterday.

She was brought to Dún Laoghaire Garda Station where she was charged with Jessica’s murder at 3 Glenna Cottages, Commons Road, Cork, on July 29, 2006. She was subsequently brought to Dún Laoghaire District Court at around noon where Garda James O’Shea gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution.

Ms Prendergast’s solicitor, Diarmuid Kelleher, was present and free legal aid was granted.

Judge Clare Leonard remanded her in custody to Mountjoy Womens’ Prison to appear before Dun Laoghaire District Court next Wednesday to allow for the preparation of the book of evidence.