Father of toddler killed in Ennis car incident freed from prison on compassionate grounds

Ennis Circuit Court heard that Peter Molloy is now on bail after being released from prison on compassionate grounds following the death of 18-month-old Hunter Molloy this week.

The boy died after an incident with a car at the halting site where he lived on the Quin Road in Ennis on Wednesday.

Mr Molloy (22) of Ballaghboy Halting site on Ennis’s Quin Rd, was on remand in custody pending a trial at the circuit court.

It is understood that the Prison Service sanctioned the release of Mr Molloy on Wednesday in the hours after Hunter’s death was confirmed at University Hospital Limerick (UHL).

Hunter died from injuries sustained in a road traffic accident at the Ballaghboy traveller 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 today, 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 that “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”.

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Ms Casey said that Mr Molloy’s release on bail is conditional on him not entering Ballaghboy halting site except for funeral purposes of his nephew; residing at a Shannon address; abiding by a curfew from 10pm to 8am and signing on Mondays 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 that after he signs the warrant, the question of Mr Molloy's bail can be taken up with the prison Governor.

In court previously, Mr Hassett has criticised the living conditions that his clients endure at the Ballaghboy halting site.

Mr Hassett has described the site “as totally unsuitable with cramped living conditions”.

He previously told the court that the site “was built as a temporary measure but has never been closed”.

The funeral arrangements for Hunter Molloy have yet to be released.