An Ennis man has been charged with the murder of mother of two, Sharon Bennett in Ennis in January.
34-year-old Patrick Ballard of Ashford Court Hotel, Ennis appeared before Ennis District Court this morning.
Patrick Ballard has been on remand in prison after being initially charged with the assault causing harm of Sharon Bennett in the Market area of Ennis on Thursday, January 28th last.
The 29 year old mother of two died 13 days later at University Hospital Limerick.
Mr Ballard and Ms Bennett were in a relationship at the time of the alleged murder and Ms Bennett was a mother of two girls, aged nine and six, from a previous relationship.
At Ennis District Court today, Det Garda Noelle Bergin gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution of Mr Ballard at 10.30am this morning before court.
She told the court that Mr Ballard of Ashford Court Hotel, Ennis made “no reply” in response to caution and charge.
The initial charge of assault causing harm was struck out, owing to the introduction of a new charge against him.
Judge Patrick Durcan stated that as it is a charge of murder, the question of bail in the district court doesn’t arise, and he granted legal aid to solicitor, Tara Godfrey.
She applied that Mr Ballard be psychiatrically assessed while on remand in prison and Judge Durcan granted that application.
He also directed that the completed assessment be made available to Ms Godfrey and that she also write to the prison governor concerning his direction to have the assessment carried out.
Mr Ballard was remanded in custody to re-appear before Gort District Court again tomorrow.
