Team’s 80 mountain rescue call-outs

Stephen Harnett, 37, attempted to strangle two of the kids and left them when he thought they were dead.

The Wicklow man then moved on to the other two youngsters, who fought back and escaped through a window.

One victim was unconscious when paramedics arrived at the house and was taken to hospital by air ambulance.

Two of the other children were purple in the face and one had bulging eyes.

The horrific details and Harnett’s guilty plea were heard at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin

The defendant, of Kilpoole Upper in Blainroe, replied “guilty” in relation to each charge and was remanded in custody following a brief hearing in front of Justice Michael White.

The assaults on the children took place on June 3, 2016.

Speaking on Harnett’s behalf Patrick Gageby said his client has a history of depression which may diminish his responsibility for the offence but is not THE Glen of Imaal rescue team responded to 80 call-outs in the Wicklow Mountains last year.

Irish Red Cross data revealed the crew were called into action most often in areas such as Glendalough, Lugnaquilla and the Sugarloaf.

The majority of incidents occurred on weekends, with Saturdays (33%) and Sundays (31%) being the busiest. And 30% of operations were searches for at a level for him to be found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Counsel added a psychiatrist is meeting with Harnett to put together a report and asked the judge to grant bail to let the medical expert continue his work.

He said it is more difficult to get mental health reports completed when a person is in custody.

Mr Gageby added his client has been on bail under strict conditions for two years and there has been no breach of those terms.

Justice White, having heard evidence from Detective Sergeant Fergus O’brien about the assaults on each child, refused bail.

He said Harnett has pleaded guilty to four attempted murder charges “of the most serious nature”.

Judge White added he is “strongly of the view” Harnett should not be on bail and remanded him in custody.

Tearful members of the defendant’s family lined up to hug him before he was led away by prison officers. both missing (8%) and lost (22%) persons. The remaining 70% of call-outs were for rescues of people who were stuck in snow, who were lost or who injured themselves.

Team member Brendan Beirne said: “Accidents happen everywhere, and to even the most prepared and experienced people, but when you are in a remote environment, getting the help you need is not so easy and that’s why we’re here.”