A mother pleaded guilty to nine years of neglect of her seven children has walked free from court.
The 38-year-old woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was handed down a four-year jail term with seven years suspended at Ennis Circuit court in Co. Clare on Monday, according to the Irish Examiner.
The woman pleaded guilty to the neglect and ill treatment of five girls and two boys over a nine year period from March 2001 to July 2010.
Read More: Court hears how ‘vermin’ mother left 10-year-old in charge of six siblings
Judge Carroll Moran said the woman had committed the “unnatural crime” of child neglect and “deprived her children of a childhood, which will have long-lasting consequences.”
During a witness impact statement, the accused eldest child, now 17, described her mother as “vermin” and that she was “cruel and evil”.
The court heard how the eldest daughter was left to care for her newborn premature sister when she was ten years old. The children are now aged between 4 and 17.
Judge Moran said that when the four youngest were placed in foster care, “their foster mother said that the four were very frightened, dirty, malnourished children. They did not know how to eat at the table, didn’t know how to use cutlery, and were not toilet-trained.”
Read More Irish crime stories here
The court heard how the woman left her children alone while she spent days in the pub with the father or six of the seven children, whom she has since separated.
“As a result of this drinking, there was insufficient food in the house and sometimes no food at all. The children were left for long periods, alone and without food,” he said.
Judge Moran said that when the eldest girl took money from her mother's jeans,” her mother hit her with a shoe, a sweeping brush and a poker all over the head. Although she suffered multiple bruising, the child was too afraid to go to the doctor".
Judge Moran said the woman had no previous convictions. She suffered domestic abuse at the hands of her own alcoholic parents. She is now in a new relationship and had another baby in September 2011.
Imposing the sentence, Judge Moran said he opted not to jail the woman “Because of her attempts to address her alcohol problem and inadequacies as a parent, and her plea of guilty... it would not be right to impose an immediate custodial sentence.”
The woman’s former partner has pleaded guilty to the neglect of the seven children and is to be sentenced at a later date.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.gobdawpaddy | Mar 01, 2013, 01:41 PM EST
This is typical of the Irish 'justice system'. I read a report about a month ago of a defendant in court who had 233 previous convictions. What the hell is he doing on the streets? In the case in question, I was tuned into a radio station in Ireland during the week after this 'sentence' was handed down, the presenter opined and I agree, that this female should be sterilized to ensure she cannot bring any more children into the world.
noeldoyle | Mar 01, 2013, 12:19 AM EST
How can a Judge allow an evil, negligent and cruel mother away without a Prison sentence? Even her own daughter described her as VERMIN! Do our Judges live in the real world. Her child, born in 2011 should be put in foster care - for its own safety. I hope the eldest daughter and her siblings make a full recovery from their terrible experience(s)
Joe Kelsall | Feb 28, 2013, 06:52 PM EST
Thankfully, the Magdalene sisters have been closed down. What a grim start in life for thse poor kids brought up in conditions reminiscent of Hogarth's cartoons.
Nelsonbarry | Feb 28, 2013, 03:22 PM EST
That Judge is a jack ass.
IrelandNorth | Feb 28, 2013, 01:32 PM EST
If she was given a four year jail term with seven suspended, would that not mean she owes the court three? I assume the figures are in reverse, ie four years, but suspended for seven. If she offends again, the term automatically kicks in and straigh to jail. I strongly intuit this is a Traveller family, a culture within which lies untold domestic abuse. Sterilisation for both parents would be more prudent. Child abuse must be the worst crime imaginable. Makes my blood boil. But as Nill Cosby said on Oprah: "Hurt people hurt people!" Those who were damaged usually act that out on others unconsciously. Not an excuse, just an explanation. May they all be safe. May they have peace and joy. May they have health and freedom from pain. May they live with ease!
IrelandNorth | Feb 28, 2013, 01:30 PM EST
If she was given a four year jail term with seven suspended, would that not mean she owes the court three? I assume the figures are in reverse, ie four years, but suspended for seven. If she offends again, the term automatically kicks in and straigh to jail. I strongly intuit this is a Traveller family, a culture within which lies untold domestic abuse. Sterilisation for both parents would be more prudent. Child abuse must be the worst crime imaginable. Makes my blood boil. But as Nill Cosby said on Oprah: "Hurt people hurt people!" Those who were damaged usually act that out on others unconsciously. Not an excuse, just an explanation. May they all be safe. May they have peace and joy. May they have health and freedom from pain. May they live with ease!
IrelandNorth | Feb 28, 2013, 01:30 PM EST
If she was given a four year jail term with seven suspended, would that not mean she owes the court three? I assume the figures are in reverse, ie four years, but suspended for seven. If she offends again, the term automatically kicks in and straigh to jail. I strongly intuit this is a Traveller family, a culture within which lies untold domestic abuse. Sterilisation for both parents would be more prudent. Child abuse must be the worst crime imaginable. Makes my blood boil. But as Nill Cosby said on Oprah: "Hurt people hurt people!" Those who were damaged usually act that out on others unconsciously. Not an excuse, just an explanation. May they all be safe. May they have peace and joy. May they have health and freedom from pain. May they live with ease!
KMcSinger | Feb 28, 2013, 11:38 AM EST
How about having her neutered?
Searlit | Feb 28, 2013, 11:38 AM EST
Very sad case. It seems she should have been sent to a treatment center. I hope the seven children are being well cared for now. If she doesn't go to prison, at least give her 18 yrs. of probation. One has to worry about the new baby. What a world.
BusQueen34 | Feb 28, 2013, 11:37 AM EST
I cannot believe this judge. Yes, it is good if the mother is sober, and remains so, but what about the ruined lives of those 7 children. Where are they now, BTW? You never said in the article. Are they getting counseling and support? I hope so. How is the new baby - this is truly a child at risk. The mother should have been given jail time, and since they did not, she should be constantly monitored, and given surprise testings for alcohol and drugs. How sad, and sadder still, how did no one notice this for so many years - teachers, neighbors, family or friends? How can people be so cruel? God Bless All of Them, esp. the children and the new baby. Personally, she should not have had that baby and should be sterilized.
irishamerica46 | Feb 28, 2013, 09:44 AM EST
The sentence is ridiculous! Did she get to keep the new baby? If so,that baby is at risk!
McNamara31 | Feb 28, 2013, 09:34 AM EST
These children will carry these psychological scars for the rest of their lives, and most probably be unable to provide a stable home for their future children because they never experienced "normal". Its sad that it took all these years for someone to take action.