A WOMAN AND a teenage girl have been charged with the murder of 29-year-old Scarlett Faulkner in Tipperary.

The 29-year-old mother-of-one was found lying on the R494 road at Birdhill on 21 March following an alleged assault. 

The Limerick woman was brought to hospital for treatment for her injuries, but her life support was turned off three weeks later.

Detective Garda Seamus Kelly gave evidence before Nenagh District Court of charging a now 17-year-old girl at Nenagh Garda Station this morning.

The teenager, who can’t be named because or her age, made no reply. A previous charge of assault causing harm has now been withdrawn.

A 40-year-old woman, who also cannot be named by order of the court, made no reply when charged with murder and two counts of burglary by Detective Garda Colum Godfrey.

Previous charges of violent disorder and endangerment have now been withdrawn.

As the District Court doesn’t have jurisdiction to grant bail in murder cases both accused have been further remanded in custody to appear again before Nenagh District Court by video link next Friday, 17 July.

The book of evidence in both cases is expected to be served the following Friday, 23 July before the cases are sent forward to the Central Criminal Court for trial.

A psychological assessment of the teenager, which was ordered by the court, has now been completed.

Judge Marie Keane has directed that this be shared with the prosecution team.

The judge also made an order restricting the posting of video or other material to social media that would interfere with a fair trial, after she said a number of posts had appeared in recent weeks.

Members of the young girl’s family were present in court for her hearing. The court heard that her trial will be expedited under a new agreed protocol for juveniles.

Members of the Faulkner family, wearing t-shirts that said ‘Justice for Scarlett’, were present in court for the appearance of the 40-year-old accused.