Mother charged with son’s murder not medically fit for court

A mother charged with the murder of her son in Co Cork could not be brought to court as she was medically unfit.

Diane Ward, aged 42, of 33 Harrison’s Place, Charleville, is charged with the murder of her eight-year-old son, Anthony Ward, at their home on Sept 3. Ms Ward was due to appear at Newcastle West Court yesterday, having been previously remanded in custody to that court at a special sitting of Limerick District Court.

Insp Paul Reidy informed Judge Mary Larkin the accused was not medically fit to be brought to court and handed in a letter from the HSE to this effect.

He asked that Ms Ward be further remanded in custody to Limerick District Court on Sept 25 and to appear on that date by video link from her place of custody, which was not stated in court.

In reply to Judge Larkin, he said the remand was being sought to allow for the preparation of a book of evidence. Paul Cagney, solicitor, had no objection.

At the previous special sitting of Limerick District Court, Supt Patrick McCarthy applied to have Ms Ward remanded to the women’s section of Mountjoy prison, the Dóchas Centre, which he said would allow for Ward’s admission, under the Criminal Law Insanity Act, to the Central Mental Hospital, where a bed was available.

Mr Cagney said the accused did not want to be remanded to the CMH.

Judge Eugene O’Kelly remanded Ms Ward to the Dóchas Centre and ordered she be examined by a forensic psychiatrist there.

He said the Dóchas Centre was the most appropriate centre for the remand at that stage, having regard to the limited facilities to remand female prisoners.

Judge O’Kelly said it was a matter for the prison authorities to administer appropriate medical attention to the accused if necessary. He recommended that a psychiatric report, as to the state of the accused’s mental wellbeing, be prepared and made available to the court.