Man pleads guilty to attempted murder of woman he had harassed

A 38-year-old man from Roscommon has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of a woman in County Roscommon. Gerard Mooney of Castle Hill, Castlerea appeared before the Central Criminal Court on 19th November 2018, where he admitted attempting to murder the woman on 12th February 2017 at Cartron, Carrick-on-Shannon. Mooney had previously pleaded guilty to related offences including burglary, assault causing harm, possession of a shotgun, making threats to kill or cause serious harm, criminal damage, and harassment of the woman between 7th and 12th February 2017. A trial scheduled for May 2019 was vacated following the guilty pleas. Mr Justice Michael White directed preparation of a urinalysis report, a Governor's report from Castlerea Prison, and a victim impact statement. The accused was remanded in custody pending sentencing on 18th December 2018.