A mother of seven allegedly drove three teenage armed attackers to a halting site outside Ennis where they inflicted injuries on the woman’s brother after assaulting him, a court has heard.
At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Det Garda Barry Comer said that it will be then alleged that Laura Molloy (34) recorded on her phone the attacks by the three minors on Michael Molloy at Ballaghboy halting site on December 14th and January 12th.
In evidence at a contested bail hearing today, Ms Molloy of Cuinne an Bhroic, Tulla, Co Clare denied having anything to do with the alleged assaults on Michael Molloy.
In the witness box, Ms Molloy said that she hasn’t been to Ballaghboy halting site since December 6th.
Solicitor, Daragh Hassett for Ms Molloy told the court that his instructions are that Ms Molloy has nothing to do with the alleged assaults.
In court today, Judge Alec Gabbett denied Ms Molloy bail and remanded her in custody to Limerick female prison after Garda objections to bail.
Det Comer said that it will be alleged that Ms Molloy drove her two sons and a nephew armed with weapons on December 14th and January 12th to Ballaghboy halting site on Ennis’s Quin Rd, where they assaulted Michael Molloy.
Det Comer said that it will be alleged that Ms Molloy videoed the December 14th assault from her vehicle and entered the mobile home of Michael Molloy on January 12th to video that assault
Det Comer said that it is alleged on both occasions, Ms Molloy drove the attackers who are minors to attack Mr Molloy and he sustained injuries on both occasions.
Det Comer said that as a result of the December 14th alleged assault, Michael Molloy lost consciousness for a minute and a half.
He said that in relation to the January 12th assault, Mr Molloy sustained knife wounds to his back and cuts to his face.
Det Comer said that one other person was arrested concerning the alleged assaults and released without charge with a file due to be sent to the DPP for consideration.
Det Comer said that there is a history of violence between Michael Molloy and Laura Molloy.
Det Comer agreed with Mr Hassett that Michael Molloy has previously assaulted Laura Molloy.
Mr Hassett said: “In summary he doesn’t like her – they don’t get on.”
In evidence, Ms Molloy said that she was arrested outside a school on Tuesday where Gardai seized her phone.
Ms Molloy said that she made the phone’s photo gallery available to Gardai and there were no recordings on her phone of any assault on her brother.
Ms Molloy asked Judge Gabbett to allow her to return home to her children.
Garda Comer said that an inter-agency meeting was held on Tuesday on how to accommodate Ms Molloy’s children in the event that was remanded in custody.
Judge Gabbett said that he was conscious that Ms Molloy has had an enormously tragic lead up to all of this where she lost her husband to suicide and now has to bring up their seven children alone.
Ms Molloy is charged with assault causing harm of Michael Molloy on December 14th at Ballaghboy halting site, Ennis and entering as a trespasser at 6 Ballaghboy halting site, Ennis to assault Michael Molloy on January 12th.
Garda Comer said that Ms Molloey was being charged with those alleged offences as Gardai regard the alleged offences as a joint enterprise.
Judge Gabbett remanded Ms Molloy in custody to January 21st to Ennis District Court.
