Deceased toddler's mother denies neglect charge
The mother of a deceased toddler vigorously denied neglecting her child in the months before she was killed, a court heard today.
Rachael Martin (aged 25) from Erne Park, Kesh, Co Fermanagh, appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates’ Court accused of wilful neglect of her daughter Millie in the period leading up to her death last December.
Martin’s former partner, Barry Michael McCarney (aged 30) has previously been charged with murdering the 15-month-old child.
Millie suffered serious internal injuries and gardaí believe she may have been sexually assaulted.
Under questioning from Martin’s lawyer, an investigating officer told District Judge Bonita Boyd that the child’s mother is not suspected of inflicting any of the injuries.
The detective said he could connect the accused with the neglect charge, but confirmed that the defendant vigorously denied it during two days of police interview.
He also acknowledged that Martin had co-operated with gardaí at all times since the death of her daughter.
Wearing a black and white blouse and black trouser suit, blonde Martin spoke only to confirm that she understood the charge during the brief hearing.
Judge Boyd granted her bail with a €880 assurity, ordering Martin to appear again next month.
In the interim she is subject to strict bail conditions, including an alcohol ban, a 7pm to 7am curfew, no contact with her co-accused McCarney or any prosecution witness outside of her family circle.
McCarney, who is not Millie’s father, and Martin lived together with the toddler in a house at Glebe Park, Enniskillen, at the time of the child’s death. He was charged with murder in the days after she died – a charge he denies.
