Gardaí expect more charges in stabbing case

A senior garda has told a court he is confident that more serious charges will be brought against a woman charged in connection with the multiple stabbing of another woman in Ennis.

Charlene Sherlock, aged 22, of Dromard, Lahinch Rd, Ennis, is charged in connection with the multiple stabbing of 23-year-old Nicole Keane in the grounds of an Ennis primary school on Apr 13.

A mother of a four-month-old baby, Ms Sherlock is charged with assault causing harm to Ms Keane and also producing a steak knife at the Holy Family School on the Saturday afternoon.

Ms Keane suffered multiple stab wounds to her upper body.

At Ennis District Court, Insp Tom Kennedy applied for a further adjournment to allow the DPP to give directions in the case.

Insp Kennedy said: “It is a very serious case, the charges will alter upwards — I can confidently say that.”

John Casey, solicitor for Ms Sherlock, expressed his concern over the DPP’s failure to provide directions in the case to date.

He said: “This is a young lady, she had a baby in February. It is a very difficult period for her.

“I accept the allegation against her is very serious, but I really do think that the State in this case — and it is not local — it is time for the State to do something about it.”

Mr Casey said that Ms Sherlock has now been in custody for 53 days.

Ms Sherlock was refused bail in the district court and was granted conditional bail in the High Court but has not taken it up.

Mr Casey said he never saw a surety as part of the High Court bail as high.

Insp Kennedy said: “It is not correct to infer that the State is sitting on its hands doing nothing about this. Very serious issues are at play here in relation to the alleged assault.”

Insp Kennedy said that medical reports — which are critical to the case — are being sought.

“There are complicated features to the case. I want to assure the court the State is doing everything possible to get the papers to the DPP to get the whole thing finalised,” he said.

“Right now, the book of evidence is being prepared in tandem with the considerations that are going on at the director’s level.”

Judge Patrick Durcan said that he would further remand Ms Sherlock in custody with consent to bail for a two-week period to Ennis District Court.