Courts / Dublin / Report
Father abandoned autistic son (7) in city docklands
Summary
In a case heard by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a 40‑year‑old man was given a fully suspended two‑year sentence for wilful neglect of his seven‑year‑old autistic son. The incident occurred on 2 June 2017 at Customs House Harbour, where the boy was found alone in a buggy about 15 feet from the water, not wearing a coat. The father claimed he had left the party with his son, went to a pub to use the toilet, and, in a "bad state" after taking tablets and alcohol, did not see the child again, mistakenly believing his partner had taken them home. Both children have since been taken into care and separated; the younger is in foster care and the older in residential care. The father, who has 13 prior convictions including theft and drug possession, pleaded guilty and expressed deep remorse.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Father abandoned autistic son (7) in city docklands. Charges or matters: wilful neglect of a child at Customs House Harbour, Dublin city on June 2, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 2, 2017 Incident
- 2021-01-29 Publication
Why: In interview with gardaí, the man said he had left the party with his son and went into the pub because he needed to use the toilet, leaving the child outside. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: wilful neglect of a child at Customs House Harbour, Dublin city on June 2, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: A father-of-two who abandoned his seven-year-old autistic son just feet from the Dublin city harbour has received a fully suspended sentence. She sentenced the man to two years imprisonment, but suspended the entirety of the sentence on strict conditions.
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