Mum, 29, 'assaulted on roadside' dies

The passing of a young mother has triggered a significant escalation in a high-profile criminal investigation in County Tipperary, Daily Dazzling Dawn confirmed.

Following the confirmed death of Scarlett Faulkner at Cork University Hospital on Monday, April 13, 2026, the legal proceedings against two individuals are set to undergo a rigorous review by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The 29-year-old Limerick native had been in a critical condition for over three weeks following a roadside incident on the R494 at Birdhill. While a woman and a 16-year-old girl were previously charged with offences including reckless endangerment and assault causing serious harm, the status of the case has now transitioned to a fatal inquiry. Legal experts suggest that the current charges are likely to be upgraded to reflect the loss of life, pending the final results of a formal post-mortem examination.

The emotional toll on the Faulkner family reached a peak over the weekend when the difficult decision was made to withdraw life support. Josephine Duffy, Scarlett's sister-in-law, told a journalist that the family remained by her side until the very end, with five relatives maintaining a vigil through her final night. Tributes have poured in from the community, with her sister Joanne expressing that she is "lost for words" over the loss of her "beautiful baby sister." Her cousin, Melissa McCarthy, shared a poignant farewell, noting that Scarlett "fought until the last" and urged the community to keep Scarlett’s young daughter and mother, Mary, in their thoughts.

The Gardaí have officially notified the Coroner and assigned a Family Liaison Officer to provide continuous support to the bereaved. The focus of the investigation now turns to the forensic evidence gathered from the scene of the attack, which occurred shortly before 5:30 pm on March 21. As the post-mortem proceeds, investigators are meticulously cross-referencing witness statements with the medical findings to establish the precise sequence of events. Because two individuals are already before the courts, the authorities are maintaining strict confidentiality regarding specific evidence, but a significant update regarding the indictment is expected during the next scheduled court mention.

This tragic outcome has resonated far beyond Limerick and Tipperary, sparking renewed conversations regarding roadside safety and the rising instances of violent disorder. Friends and neighbours have described Scarlett as a devoted mother whose life was cut short in an incident that has left a young child without a parent. As the legal system prepares for the next phase, the community remains focused on supporting the Faulkner family while awaiting the judicial outcome of what has become one of the most closely watched cases in the region this year.