Woman further remanded on stabbing charge

A young mother has made a second appearance in court charged in connection with the multiple stabbing of another woman on the grounds of a primary school.

At Ennis District Court yesterday, Charlene Sherlock, aged 22, of Dromard, Lahinch Rd, Ennis, Co Clare, was charged with the assault causing harm of Nicole Keane, aged 23, in the grounds of the Holy Family School in Ennis last Saturday at about 5pm.

Ms Sherlock, who gave birth to her first baby on Feb 12, is also charged with producing a steak knife during the course of a dispute at the school.

Ms Keane, also from Ennis, remains in a stable condition at Cork University Hospital after sustaining multiple stab wounds to the upper body.

In court yesterday, Insp Tom Kennedy applied that Ms Sherlock be further remanded in custody to re-appear at Ennis District Court on May 1.

Solicitor Tara Godfrey, who represented Ms Sherlock in court on Monday where she was first charged, yesterday applied to come off record in representing the woman.

Solicitor John Casey is to now represent the accused. There was no application made for legal aid in court yesterday.

Insp John Galvin told Monday’s special sitting that the State would be objecting to legal aid because Ms Sherlock, who is unemployed, “has considerable assets”.

At Monday’s court, the State successfully objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the charge, the weight of the evidence and other factors.

The State has said it has very quality CCTV of the alleged assault and an independent witness.

Insp Kennedy told the court that gardaí were seeking the adjournment to get directions from the DPP in the case.

At Monday’s court, Garda Colin Egan said that gardaí were anticipating that more serious charges will be brought against Ms Sherlock.

Yesterday, Judge Patrick Durcan remanded Ms Sherlock to appear again before Ennis District Court on May 1.