16-05-2025
Five women from one family on trial over alleged knife attack in Rathkeale
in the dock |
Each of the five accused have pleaded not guilty before a jury of eight men and four women in front of Judge Fiona O'Sullivan, Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
The complainant, Christina McCarthy née Harty, sustained disfiguring knife wounds to her face, as well as to her left hand as she was trying to defend herself, Limerick Circuit Criminal Court heard.
The aggravated burglary and knife attack allegedly occurred at Ms McCarthy's home at Ballingrane, Rathkeale, Co Limerick, on December 10th, 2019.
Mary Ellen Daly neé Harty. Picture: Brendan Gleeson
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Sergeant Rob Sheehy, Henry Street Garda Station, Limerick, showed photographs in court of 'horizontal and vertical' knife wounds to Ms. McCarthy's face as well as 'two gashes or wounds' on her left hand.
Sergeant Sheehy agreed with prosecuting barrister, Lily Buckley, that the knife wounds to Ms McCarthy's face 'ran along her jaws up to her ears'.
Christina Casey. Picture: Brendan Gleeson
Ms Buckley told the court that Ms McCarthy was 'resting' in her bedroom when all five accused women arrived together in cars, at her home, on the date in question.
Inspector Barry Manton confirmed in court that photographs shown to the jury that were taken by gardai at the scene, included images of bloodied hair, as well as 'blood spattering' and 'blood staining' found on flooring, walls and bedsheets inside the complainant's house.
Mother and daughter, Nora 'Josie' Harty, (57), and Mary Ellen Daly neé Harty, (34), both with an address at Lisheen Park, Patrickswell, Co Limerick, are accused of one count of committing aggravated burglary while in possession of knives at Ms McCarthy's home, during which they assaulted her causing her serious harm.
Nora Harty, a first cousin of the complainant, is also charged with causing criminal damage to a window at the complainant's home.
Rita Johnson. Picture: Brendan Gleeson
Ciara Johnson, (30), St Ita's Street, St Mary's Park, Limerick, and Christina Casey, (48), St Aidan's Close, Brookfield, Tallaght, Dublin, are charged that, while in possessing of a knife and a baseball bat respectively, they committed aggravated burglary at Ms McCarthy's home, during which they intended to assault her, causing her harm. The court heard that Ciara Johnson is a daughter-in-law to Nora Harty, and Ms Casey is Nora Harty's sister.
The fifth accused, Rita Johnson, (51), St Ita's Street, St Mary's Park, mother to Ciara Johnson, is charged with committing burglary at Ms McCarthy's house, during which she intended to assault and cause harm to Ms McCarthy.
Ms Buckley told the jury that the alleged knife attack and burglary occurred 24 hours after an alleged verbal and physical interaction involving the complainant, her daughter Amanda Sheridan née McCarthy, and two of the five accused, Mary Ellen Daly and Ciara Johnson. Read more
Each of the five accused have pleaded not guilty before a jury of eight men and four women in front of Judge Fiona O'Sullivan, Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
Ms Buckley, instructed by Brendan Gill, state solicitor for County Limerick, told the jury: 'The accused are presumed innocent and retain that presumption of innocence until you may decide otherwise.'
'The burden of proof is on the prosecution and the standard of proof is beyond a reasonable doubt - not beyond all doubt,' the prosecution barrister added.
Nora Josie Harty is represented by barrister Liam Carroll; Mary Ellen Daly is represented by barrister Grace Hogan; Ciara Johnson is being represented by barrister Karla Ray; Christina Casey is represented by barrister Joseph McMahon; and Rita Johnson is represented by barrister Johanna O'Connor.
The trial resumes Monday when the court is expected to hear evidence from the complainant.
