Jury sworn in for Scarlett Faulkner murder trial in Tipperary

A jury of eight men and four women was sworn in on Monday to hear the trial of a 41‑year‑old woman and a 17‑year‑old girl accused of murdering Scarlett Faulkner.

The teenage defendant pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter when arraigned before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo at the Central Criminal Court. The woman, aged 41, entered not‑guilty pleas to the murder charge, to burglary and trespass at a Tipperary address on 20 March, and to a second burglary and assault causing harm at a Limerick address on 21 March.

Ms Faulkner, 29, died on 13 April following an alleged incident at Birdhill, Co Tipperary, on 21 March. The court was told that dash‑cam recordings will be shown to the jury, and defence counsel indicated no objection to their use.

Seoirse Ó Dúnlaing is prosecuting on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions. The woman is represented by Mark Thompson Grolimund and Amy Nix, while the teenager is represented by Colman Cody and Johanna O’Connor. Mr Justice Naidoo instructed jurors not to seek outside information or discuss the case.

The trial was adjourned until Tuesday morning and is expected to run for about four weeks, concluding around 30 November.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Phil Evenden / Pexels.