Charged with attempted murder

A Co Clare woman has been charged with the attempted murder of her three children and husband at their family home last year.

At Shannon District Court yesterday, Agnes O'Shaughnessy (27), Purcell Park, Shannon, Co Clare, appeared in connection with the attempted murder of her husband, George O'Shaughnessy (30), on September 25th last at that address.

Ms O'Shaughnessy was also charged with the attempted murder of her seven-year-old twins, Lee and Evan Hickey, and three-year-old daughter, Sophie O'Shaughnessy.

Det Garda Stephen Ryan told the court that he arrested Ms O'Shaughnessy at her home yesterday, bringing her to Shannon Garda station where she was charged. Det Garda Ryan said Ms O'Shaughnessy made no reply to each of the charges.

Ms O'Shaughnessy has appeared a number of times in court since last September charged with recklessly engaging in conduct to commit arson which created a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another. She is also charged with committing arson without lawful excuse, contrary to section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act.

At about 6am on September 25th, 2005, two Shannon gardaí rescued Ms O'Shaughnessy's husband and the three children from their burning home.

All four were taken to the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Limerick as a precautionary measure and treated for smoke inhalation before being discharged a short time later.

Two units of the Shannon Fire Brigade brought the blaze under control within an hour.

At a previous court appearance in relation to the arson charge, Judge Joseph Mangan amended bail conditions for Ms O'Shaughnessy to allow her access to her children, supervised by her husband and members of her family.

Ms O'Shaughnessy has also undergone psychiatric assessment.

Insp Tom Kennedy told the court that Ms O'Shaughnessy was on bail in relation to other charges, but because of the seriousness of the new charges, the question of bail could not be addressed in the district court.

Requesting that Ms O'Shaughnessy be remanded in custody, Judge Mangan remanded her to reappear before Shannon District Court next Thursday.