A WOMAN HAS pleaded guilty to the attempted abduction of a toddler from a child care facility.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, tried to take the two year old child from an early years school in south county Dublin on 22 September last year.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the woman has a diagnosis of schizophrenia and her mental capacity is also affected by her difficulties with poly-substance abuse. She had previously received treatment at the Central Mental Hospital and the court heard her condition has improved dramatically.

During the bail application hearing Garda Shane Doyle said that the woman went to the back garden of the child care facility and spoke to staff , claiming to be the mother of one of the children there.

She took the child by the hand and staff followed her and separated her from the child. Staff told gardaí afterwards that she was calm and purposeful.

Judge Martin Nolan released the woman on bail on strict conditions including that she stay away from creches, schools and anywhere children are gathered.

He set a date for her sentence next Tuesday.

Maurice Coffey BL, prosecuting, said the State were objecting to her release on bail as there was a concern of a risk that the woman may commit more offences while on bail.

Other conditions attached to her bail are that she comply with a curfew between 10pm and 7am and sign on daily at a garda station. She must also live at her mother’s home in south Dublin, stay sober and keep the peace.

In his application for bail, defence counsel Niall Nolan BL said his client had an appointment with a consultant psychiatrist tomorrow.

He said this appointment was her lifeline and she was asking the court to give her a chance.

He said she had found this two month period in custody horrendous. Counsel said the woman would abide by all the conditions of her bail.

Granting bail Judge Nolan said the most decisive issue for the court was the safety of the public. He said he would need certain expert testimony as to this issue in the future and that the report from the consultant psychiatrist may be helpful.

“Can I take a risk – I’m not sure if it’s a risk – of letting her out on bail? I think the risk is not appreciable,” he said, noting that there was no such thing as a zero risk.

Comments are closed as the case is ongoing.