Courts / Dublin / Report

Mother of "distressed" 6-year-old found wandering streets avoids jail

Summary

In January 2017 a six‑year‑old girl was found wandering a Dublin street in a distressed, wet and cold state. Gardaí located her home and discovered her 13‑month‑old sister strapped into a buggy, both children in a distressed condition with soiled nappies and clothes. The mother, a 35‑year‑old Dublin woman, was found on the couch beside the children, disorientated and highly intoxicated, having consumed one or two bottles of wine. She pleaded guilty to two counts of wilfully neglecting her children. The court noted her alcohol addiction and mental breakdown at the time of the offence, and her 17 previous convictions. The children were removed and placed with relatives. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced the mother to two years, suspended on conditions including engagement with Probation Services, and she now has supervised access to her children with the aim of regaining custody.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Mother of "distressed" 6-year-old found wandering streets avoids jail. Charges or matters: two counts of wilfully neglecting her children on January 14, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• January 14, 2017 Incident
• 2018-01-23 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence

Related court reports

• Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
• Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
• Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
• 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'

Read the original CNI report