A woman accused of murdering her six-year-old son earlier this month was not in a position to attend court by video link this morning, the court heard.
Ruth Purcell Healy, 37, of Bishop's Field, Williamstown Road in Waterford city, is charged with the murder of her son Matthew Healy on 8 or 9 February last at Rathmoylan in Dunmore East.
Matthew's father James Healy and other family members were in the court in Waterford this morning for a scheduled appearance by video link from Limerick Prison by Ms Purcell Healy.
Solicitor Kenneth Cunningham, for the accused, said his client was not available for video link this morning and suggested a 14-day remand, in absentia, to await Director of Public Prosecutions directions.
Judge Kevin Staunton said he had a message from the prison. "She is not in a position to appear and that is respected by the court," he said.
He asked the solicitor what the position is with a possible High Court application for bail and was told by Mr Cunningham that such an application "will very much depend on the capability of my client to attend" court.
It is something to be attended to in due course, he added.
Judge Staunton remanded Ms Purcell Healy in custody to appear before Waterford District Court by video link on 5 March, to allow for the preparation of a book of evidence.
Mr Cunningham said this was accepted.
Matthew Healy was found unresponsive in a car shortly after midnight on Friday, 9 February, in the Rathmoylan area of Dunmore East, and pronounced dead a short time later at University Hospital in Waterford.
His funeral Mass took place last Wednesday in Watergrasshill, Co Cork, where his father lives.
