The woman at the centre of a baby-snatch case in Cork last year was yesterday directed by a court to undertake a course of intensive rehabilitation treatment until next February.
Ms Marie Crean (37), Eglinton Terrace, Western Road, Cork, admitted attempting to snatch a new born baby boy, one of twins, from the Erinville Hospital in September 2002 by putting him under her T-shirt and walking out.
However, she never made it out of the hospital because an electronic tag on the baby's leg alerted security and the baby was taken from her in the foyer of the building.
Sentencing had been adjourned to give Crean a chance of rehabilitation at a centre in Athy, which she promised last June to undertake.
However, Crean broke out of the centre after only a few days and was found by gardaí in the middle of the town centre holding up traffic while intoxicated.
Crean told the court last week that she had not been ready for treatment when she was in Athy, but was now prepared to take it on board.
Yesterday the court heard a recommendation from the Governor of Mountjoy Prison, which stated that Crean would not benefit from a prison sentence as it could not offer the type of specialised support that she needs.
Ms Kathleen McMahon said that Crean is definitely suffering from alcohol addiction and needed support, including psychological addiction treatment, which would not be available if she were incarcerated.
The State told Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin that it would have concerns at the defendant returning to Athy, given the break-out during the summer.
"Certain elements of the State recognise the need for treatment, whether there is risk or not. As she (Crean )is well aware, break out will only cause further incarceration," Judge Ó Donnabhain said, directing that Crean be remanded on bail to attend Cuan Mhuire rehabilitation centre until February 16th next.
The case was adjourned until this morning to allow the prison services to arrange the transportation of Crean to Athy where she must remain until the opening day of the criminal court sessions in Cork next spring.