Courts / Dublin / Report
Parents guilty of causing serious harm to daughter left with catastrophic brain injuries
Summary
A married couple, a 39‑year‑old man and his 36‑year‑old wife, were found guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of neglect and cruelty after their daughter suffered catastrophic brain injuries. The parents pleaded not guilty to two assault‑causing‑serious‑harm charges and three child‑cruelty charges for incidents between 28 June and 2 July 2019. The jury, after a 12‑day trial and four hours of deliberation, returned unanimous guilty verdicts on all counts. Evidence showed the father claimed to perform a ritual to expel a "devil" from the child, and the mother used a belt, phone charger, and other objects to beat her. Medical experts testified that the daughter's head injuries were from blunt force trauma and violent shaking, causing permanent neurological damage. The parents were remanded in custody until their sentencing on 24 January 2022. The prosecution sought a victim‑impact statement from the child's carers.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Parents guilty of causing serious harm to daughter left with catastrophic brain injuries. Charges or matters: two charges of assault causing serious harm and three charges of child cruelty at the family home in Dublin on dates between June 28 and July 2, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 28 Incident
- July 2, 2019 Incident
- January 24, 2022 Adjournment
- July 2 Incident
- March 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2021-10-29 Publication
Why: He said this was "because my parents hit her". CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: two charges of assault causing serious harm and three charges of child cruelty at the family home in Dublin on dates between June 28 and July 2, 2019 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Judge Nolan remanded the couple in continuing custody until their sentence date on January 24, 2022 and asked that any reports be obtained before that date.; Judge Nolan remanded the couple in continuing custody until their sentence date on January 24, 2022 and asked that any reports be obtained before that date.
Places mentioned
Topics
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'
Help us improve this report
Your request is saved for the newsroom's next review. It does not immediately change the published report.
Prefer email? Send a correction request.