A father who suffered an ‘unspeakable tragedy’ just over one year ago through the loss of his infant son has pleaded guilty to a criminal damage charge.
At Ennis Circuit Court, Peter Molloy (23) has pleaded guilty to the criminal damage of windows and the front door belonging to Margaret Quinn at Ennis’s Watery Rd on November 18th 2023.
It is just over one year ago that Mr Molloy of Ballyboy, Quin Rd suffered the loss of 18-month old baby, Hunter Molloy when he was struck by a vehicle near his home on the Quin Rd in Ennis.
In court after Mr Molloy entered his guilty plea, his counsel, Patrick Whyms BL (instructed by solicitor, Daragh Hassett) said that his client had suffered “an unspeakable tragedy” just over a year ago.
Mr Whyms said that the case is Peter Molloy’s first time to appear before the circuit court and has had positive engagement with the Probation Service previously.
Mr Whyms asked that a Probation Report be prepared for his client and Judge Francis Comerford directed that a report be provided.
Hunter Molloy or Ballaghboy, Quin Rd died from injuries sustained after being struck by a vehicle on May 8th last year.
At the time, Peter Molloy was on remand in custody for the criminal damage charge and two other charges that the State is not now proceeding with.
At the time, the Prison Service sanctioned the release of Peter Molloy in the hours after Hunter’s death was confirmed at University Hospital Limerick (UHL).
The late Hunter’s uncle and brother of Peter Molloy, Martin Molloy (25) has also pleaded guilty to the same criminal damage offence of the windows and door belonging to Margaret Quinn on November 18th 2023.
The two brothers initially before a jury pleaded not guilty to three charges each and changed their guilty pleas to the criminal damage charges only with the State not proceeding with the four remaining charges.
Judge Comerford remanded the two brothers on bail to May 30th to fix a date for sentence.
In court previously, solicitor, Daragh Hassett has criticised the living conditions that his clients endure at the Ballaghboy halting site.
Mr Hassett has described the site “as totally unsuitable with cramped living conditions”.
He previously told the court that the site “was built as a temporary measure but has never been closed”.
