Woman charged over broken bottle stabbing

A woman has been charged with stabbing another woman with a broken bottle in a horrific street attack in Limerick City.

Susan McCarthy, aged 20, of Keyes Park, Southill, was brought before a special sitting of Limerick District Court yesterday afternoon charged with assault causing harm to Leanne Delaney, Shannon, Co Clare.

Ms Delaney, aged 21, remains in a serious but stable condition in University Hospital Limerick following the incident at about 3.30am on Saturday.

The court heard the accused was being charged in connection with an “extremely violent” attack on another woman who was stabbed with a broken bottle in Limerick City.

During a bail application by the accused, Garda Tim O’Connor said Ms Delaney suffered “extensive injuries” when she was stabbed a number of times with a broken glass bottle, including while she was lying prone on the ground.

Ms Delaney underwent emergency surgery for a punctured lung after she was brought to hospital by ambulance on Saturday.

Garda O’Connor said the nature of the attack was “extremely violent”. He told the court that Ms McCarthy made no reply when charged with the offence.

Solicitor Ted McCarthy told the court Ms McCarthy is in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance, and the court granted her free legal aid.

Judge Aeneus McCarthy said the serious nature of the crime was, on its own, not sufficient for refusing the bail application. However he imposed a number of bail conditions.

Garda O’Connor said there is CCTV footage of the incident and witness statements have been taken.

Ms McCarthy was remanded on bail to appear before the district court again for directions from the DPP on December 10.