Mother, 31, charged with neglect and cruelty to her children

A mother of three has appeared in court charged with neglect and cruelty to her children, including two babies.

The woman, aged 31, is alleged to have left the three siblings — aged 1, 2, and 11 — alone in the house which was in a state of disrepair, on August 9, 2013.

The State alleges that gardaí called to the woman’s home in Limerick City on the day in question where the children were left alone without adult supervision.

Upon arrival, gardaí did not get an answer, and some time later the mother returned but refused gardaí entrance to the house, the State alleges.

Garda Ciaran MacCarthy, of Mayorstone Garda Station, entered the house under Section 12 of the Childcare Act 2001, and allegedly observed the three children at the top of a stairway.

Due to the alleged conditions and scenario in the house, the children were brought into State care and the mother was arrested and detained at Henry Street Garda Station.

The accused, who is single and unemployed, first appeared in court on June 6, and was remanded on bail. The children are being cared for by the woman’s parents.

Judge Eugene O’Kelly accepted jurisdiction in hearing the matter at Limerick District Court.

He remanded the woman on continuing bail to appear before the district court again on September 26.