Courts / Dublin / Report
Garda Inspector: Parents' abuse of daughter 'tantamount to torture':
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 39‑year‑old man and a 37‑year‑old woman were jailed for 14 years each for the savage abuse of their then nine‑year‑old daughter, who suffered a catastrophic brain injury. The parents claimed the child was possessed by an evil spirit and inflicted "wanton cruelty" by punching, beating with a belt and stick, choking, biting and burning her. Evidence showed the father performed a ritual to expel the "devil" from her body. A jury convicted them of two counts of assault causing serious harm and three counts of child cruelty. Judge Martin Nolan noted the parents' belief in possession offered no defence. The girl now lives in a care centre, unable to walk, talk or sit independently, and will require 24/7 care for the rest of her life.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Garda Inspector: Parents' abuse of daughter 'tantamount to torture':. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 28 Incident
- July 2, 2019 Incident
- 2022-03-07 Publication
Places mentioned
Topics
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