Daniels case ends as accused changes plea
The case against a 19-year-old South Tipperary man for the attempted murder and attempted sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl ended today when the accused pleaded guilty to attempted murder.
Mr Eric Daniels of Elm Park, Clonmel, had pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder and attempted sexual assault of the girl on November 10, 2001 at Kelly's Field, Gortmalogue, Clonmel.
He also denied two further charges of false imprisonment and assault causing harm on the same date.
However, when the trial resumed after legal argument, the accused changed his plea to one of guilty of attempted murder. The State issued a noll prosequi on the remaining three charges.
The plea followed a decision by the trial judge Mr Justice Paul Carney to admit into evidence memos of interview notes taken while the accused was in custody.
Mr Daniels parents and brothers were in court to hear him enter the guilty plea. He was remanded in custody for sentencing on February 21 when psychiatric reports will be made available to the court.
Discharging the jury, the judge said it is open to the victim’s family to give evidence at sentencing should they so choose.
During the three day trial, the jury heard video-link evidence from the young girl. She described how she thought she was going to die when the accused tied a black lace around her neck and choked her.
She alleged that Eric Daniels had lured her into Kelly’s Field on the pretext of looking at some puppies, but then kicked her to the ground and tried to kill her.
