Woman pleads guilty to attempted murder of husband and children

A 28-year-old Clare woman has today pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of her husband and three young children, who had to be rescued after their family home was set ablaze almost two years ago.

The woman pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to committing arson with the substantial risk of death or injury at a house on Purcell Park in Shannon on September 25, 2005.

She also admitted causing damage to the same house without lawful excuse.

Dressed in a mint green jacket with a white shirt, the accused broke down in tears and sobbed as she replied "guilty" to four further charges of the attempted murder of her then husband and three children at the house.

Her children were aged between three and seven at the time. They were taken with their father to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick and treated for smoke inhalation before being discharged a short time later.

Trial judge Mr Justice Paul Carney put the case back to June 11 for sentence.