Ireland Bid to vacate guilty pleas for giving false evidence refused at Limerick Circuit Court
A woman, whose name cannot be published under reporting restrictions, was charged with giving false evidence in the Circuit Court and High Court in a personal injuries case arising from a 2015 road traffic incident in Limerick. She pleaded guilty to both charges when arraigned at Limerick Circuit Court on May 16, 2022. Her counsel later applied to vacate those guilty pleas, arguing that she has special needs, was intimidated and coerced by a third person, and was not fit to plead; the application was opposed by counsel instructed by the State Solicitor. Judge Tom O'Donnell refused the application, remanded her on continuing bail, and put the case into a call-over date in 2024.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court3 Jan
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The woman was charged with giving false evidence in the Circuit Court and High Court in a personal injuries case.
- When
- The personal injuries case concerned a road traffic incident in Limerick in 2015.
- She pleaded guilty to both charges when arraigned on May 16, 2022.
- The case was put into a call-over date in 2024.
- Where
- Her application to vacate the guilty pleas was heard and opposed at Limerick Circuit Court.
- Cause
- The court heard that she was intimidated and coerced by a third person.
- Other details
- The court heard that she is a person with special needs.
- The defence said she was not fit to plead when she pleaded guilty.
- The woman was remanded on continuing bail.
- The judge ordered that media in attendance not disclose the woman's name.
- In court
- Judge Tom O'Donnell called the application extremely unusual and the second such application before him.
- Judge Tom O'Donnell refused the application, saying he was not convinced the pleas should be vacated and that there was not enough evidence for them to be vacated.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe application was opposed at Limerick Circuit Court. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeShe was charged with giving false evidence in the Circuit Court and High Court. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtA woman with special needs applied to vacate her guilty pleas to giving false evidence. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtShe pleaded guilty to the two charges when she was arraigned on May 16, 2022. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe judge said he was not convinced the pleas should be vacated and refused the application. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe judge said there was not enough evidence for the guilty pleas to be vacated. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe personal injury case concerned a road traffic incident in Limerick in 2015 and was rejected in the Circuit Court. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe court heard the woman is a person of special needs and was intimidated and coerced by a third person. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe defence said the woman was not fit to plead when she pleaded guilty. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe applicant was remanded on continuing bail. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe case was put into a call-over date in 2024. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe judge ordered that the woman's name not be disclosed by media in attendance. (limerickleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 3 Jan2024Woman with special needs applies to alter pleas of guilty
Court report on a defence application to vacate guilty pleas to giving false evidence. The application was refused, the woman was remanded on continuing bail, and the case was put into a call-over date in 2024. The article reports that the pleas were entered at arraignment on May 16, 2022.
convicted, female