Courts / Dublin / Report
Father-of-six who hit daughter (9) to be assessed for community service
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 34‑year‑old unemployed father of six pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to his nine‑year‑old daughter between 8 and 11 July 2016. He admitted slapping her but denied using a broom handle or other sticks, claiming the broom was part of a Halloween costume. The court noted the girl's injuries—a five‑by‑ten‑centimetre bruise on her left arm and a dry scratch on her right arm—were inflicted by the father. The judge, after considering the case, deemed the injuries "lower end" of the scale for assault causing harm but stressed the aggravating factor of beating a child. He ordered a report to assess the father's suitability for community service, with a maximum of 240 hours in lieu of an 18‑month prison term, and adjourned finalisation to 8 November. The father expressed regret and hopes for reconciliation with his children.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Father-of-six who hit daughter (9) to be assessed for community service. Charges or matters: assault causing harm on the girl at an address in Dublin between July 8 and July 11, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 8 Incident
- July 11, 2016 Incident
- July 8, 2016 Other
- July 2020 Adjournment
- May 10 Adjournment
- November 8 Adjournment
- 2021-07-14 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assault causing harm on the girl at an address in Dublin between July 8 and July 11, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: By Stephen Bourke An unemployed father-of-six, who admits hitting his nine-year-old daughter but denies using a broom handle to do it, will be assessed for suitability for community service before his sentence is finalised later this year. Children deserve protection." He ordered the preparation of a report assessing whether the accused is suitable for community service, saying he was considering imposing the maximum term of 240 hours – in lieu of an 18-month prison sentence.; The case was originally due to go to trial in July 2020 but was adjourned to this month.
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