Father and uncle of toddler who died in Clare accident released from prison on compassionate grounds
Hunter Molloy died from injuries sustained in a road traffic accident at the Ballaghboy halting site before lunchtime on Wednesday.
The father of the late 18-month old baby boy, Hunter Molloy, has been released from prison on compassionate grounds, a court heard on Friday.
At Ennis Circuit Court, Patrick Whyms (instructed by solicitor, Daragh Hassett) told the court Peter Molloy was now on bail after being released from prison on compassionate grounds arising from the death of his infant child this week.
Mr Molloy, 22, of Ballaghboy Halting site on Ennis’s Quin Road, was on remand in custody pending a trial at the circuit court.
It is understood the Prison Service sanctioned the release of Mr Molloy on Wednesday in the hours after Hunter’s death was confirmed at University Hospital Limerick.
Hunter died from injuries sustained in a road traffic accident at the Ballaghboy halting site before lunchtime on Wednesday.
Peter Molloy is facing three charges, including one of endangerment, arising from an incident on Ennis’s Watery Rd on November 18, 2023.
In a separate court in Ennis on Friday, Judge Vincent Deane at Ennis District Court allowed the release from custody of Hunter’s uncle, Michael Molloy, 30, on compassionate grounds.
Michael Molloy was on remand in custody where he is facing a charge of assault causing harm contrary to Section 3 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act arising from an incident at Ballaghboy halting site on March 3 this year.
Solicitor for Mr Molloy, Daragh Hassett told Judge Deane that the release from prison for Mr Molloy on bail on compassionate grounds was on consent with the State.
State Solicitor for Clare Aisling Casey told Judge Deane “there has been a tragic death in the family of an 18 month old baby in the last couple of days so there is consent to this application”.
Ms Casey said Mr Molloy’s release on bail was conditional on him not entering Ballaghboy halting site except for funeral purposes of his nephew, Hunter Molloy; residing at a Shannon address; abiding by a curfew from 10pm to 8am and signing on Monday and Wednesday at Ennis Garda Station.
Ms Casey said that Michael Molloy is to have no contact with the alleged injured party in the alleged assault case.
Judge Deane said after he signed the warrant, the question of Mr Molloy's bail could be taken up with the prison Governor.
The funeral arrangements for Hunter Molloy have yet to be released.
