Couple charged with assaulting man's children

A Limerick couple charged with assaulting two young children, one with an iron, have been sent forward for trial to the next sitting of the Circuit Criminal Court.

A 40-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faces a total of 16 charges arising out of offences which are alleged to have taken place on various dates between April and November 2005.

The man, who lives in the Raheen area of Limerick, is charged with assaulting two of his own children, resulting in injuries which required medical attention.

His partner, a 33-year-old woman, faces one charge of assaulting one of his children. It is alleged that she placed a hot iron on the bottom of the young boy on an unknown date during 2005.

All of the offences are alleged to have taken place at the house where the man and his partner live in the Raheen area of Limerick city.

It is understood that gardaí began their initial investigation in December 2005 after doctors at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital expressed concerns after a "catalogue of non-accidental injuries", both new and old, were discovered.

It is understood another daughter of the man later made a statement of complaint to gardaí.

Both of the accused were present in Limerick District Court this week when the Book of Evidence in the case was served.

Inspector Pat Connolly told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had recommended that the case be sent forward to the next sitting of Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge Tom O'Donnell issued both defendants with an "alibi warning", which means they must give the State two weeks notice if they intend calling alibi witnesses.

Free legal aid was awarded to each of the accused, who were remanded on contininuing bail until their next court appearance in July.