A 34-YEAR-OLD woman, a member of the Polish Roma community, was brought in custody before a special sitting of Killorglin District Court last night, charged with the unlawful killing of her three-year-old daughter in Tralee over four years ago.
Monika Paczkowska, Fountain Court, Tralee, was charged with the unlawful killing of Sefora Kycwak, at Killeen Woods, Tralee, on or about August 5th, 2005.
Det Sgt Fearghal Patwell told Judge James O’Connor that bench warrants issued for Ms Paczkowska’s arrest in 2006 and 2007 were now executed.
She had made no reply to the charge at the Garda station in Tralee earlier that day, the detective said.
A Polish interpreter was sworn in at the start of last night’s proceedings.
Insp Derek Smart applied to remand the woman to Limerick Prison to appear again on January 27th at Tralee District Court.
David Ramsey, solicitor for Ms Paczkowska, said he would not be objecting to the Garda application for her to be remanded in custody.
The DPP had already directed that the matter be returnable to the Circuit Court, Insp Smart said.
Judge O’Connor remanded the accused in custody and extended time for the book of evidence to be presented.
He also asked the interpreter whether Ms Paczkowska understood fully the charge facing her, and the interpreter confirmed that “she understands she is charged with killing her child”.
Ms Paczkowska was arrested in London on foot of a European arrest warrant some days ago. Gardaí from Tralee travelled to London and escorted her to Kerry yesterday.