Abduction accused had been hanging around hospital, court hears
The woman charged with abducting a baby at the Erinville Hospital in Cork had been seen in the vicinity of the hospital numerous times when she had no reason to be there, it was claimed today.
Marie Crean, 36, who had been living at rented flats and bedsits around Cork for the past few years, most recently at Englinton Place, Western Road, Cork, was even arrested for being drunk at the hospital in the early hours of July 27, Garda Declan O'Brien said today.
He said security staff saw her in the hospital numerous times in the past.
A baby boy, one of twins, was allegedly abducted at the hospital at 8.40pm on Tuesday night and security staff prevented the child being removed from the building.
Three hours later at Western Road, Cork, Crean was arrested and brought to the Bridewell Garda Station.
Garda O'Brien charged Crean with intentionally taking a child, removing him from the control of his mother contrary to Section 17 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.
After caution, she replied, "I'm sorry, I done it."
At Cork District Court Judge Uinsin MacGruairc said the defendant was innocent until proven guilty of the charge.
The judge prohibited identification of the baby at the centre of the case and he also made an order preventing the publication of certain other background information that was given in evidence in court today.
Defence solicitor, Donal Daly, applied for Crean to be released on bail.
Judge MacGruairc refused and remanded her in custody for a week.
Detective Sergeant Declan O'Sullivan said, "Having spoken to the defendant at length today and last night I firmly believe she is in urgent need of psychiatric help and it should be provided to her forthwith."
