Woman not released from prison on bail because she has no home to go to, court hears

Sorcha Waters, aged 35, of no fixed abode, appeared via video link from Limerick Prison to Mallow District Court. Picture: Dan Linehan

A woman could not be released from prison on bail because she had no home to go to, a court heard.

Sorcha Waters, aged 35, of no fixed abode, appeared via video link from Limerick Prison to Mallow District Court.

Defence solicitor Matthew Birmingham argued that his client had almost been given bail previously, but she had been unable to provide an address where she could live while on bail.

Had she an address, she could be given temporary release from prison, Mr Birmingham said.

Judge Treasa Kelly said that bail could not be refused on accommodation grounds.

But Sergeant Linda O’Leary said that bail had been objected to and she would have no address if released on bail.

The accused faced two serious charges, including an alleged firearms offence, and gardaí had objected to bail on numerous grounds, she said.

Director of Public Prosecution directions were awaited and a case file was being worked on, Sgt O’Leary said.

Ms Waters faces charges of possessing and producing a knife, contrary to the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.

She faces two other offences, contrary to Section 4 and Section 6 of the Public Order Act, of being intoxicated in a public place in Charleville and engaging in threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour in a public place on July 26.

Judge Treasa Kelly asked the accused if she still had nowhere to go if released from prison.

Mr Birmingham said that his client could appear again in Mallow District Court in two weeks for DPP directions.

Judge Kelly remanded Ms Waters in custody until September, 9, via videolink.

“Ms Waters, you are in a better place now than you were two weeks ago but you need to get an address of some sort. You must work on that,” Judge Kelly said.