Court refuses bail for woman on series of charges

A FATHER’S evidence did not suffice to save his 37-year-old shoplifting accused daughter from continued remand in custody.

The District Court heard that Martina Balfe from Templescoby in Enniscorthy had been arrested after five warrants had been issued recently for her arrest when she failed to attend courts.

And a sixth warrant handed down at the Circuit Court was outstanding, Judge John Cheatle was informed. A total of 19 bench warrants were made out bearing her name since 2015, reckoned Garda Declan Mulqueen who said she was very difficult to deal with.

Prosecutors were concerned that she had breached all conditions attached to her bail and had not taken up a place at a residential rehab course.

She defied requirements to sign on daily at Enniscorthy garda station, to stay sober and remain out of Wexford town.

It was alleged that she attempted to bite a garda when she was attested in Wexford’s Redmond Square the previous day – though this was loudly denied.

Bill Balfe traced some of his daughter’s problems back to an addiction to Valium tablets, which were prescribed for her when she was 24 years of age.

She also had a chronic alcohol problem, despite having attended St John of God, Aiseirí, Sister Consilio and Alcoholics Anonymous at various times.

The parent was concerned that all of these organisations had addressed the drink problem without tackling the effect of the tablets.

He also lamented the fact that it appeared almost impossible to arrange psychiatric help for his child.

He was prepared to let her continue residing with him but admitted that he ‘can’t whip her in’ as he put it.

Ms Balfe also gave evidence, saying that she was feeling much better since being put on medicine intended to treat a bi-polar condition.

Judge John Cheatle ruled that he had no option but to refuse bail as the breaches were too numerous and too serious.