Courts / Clare / Report
Appeal court refuses review of suspended sentence imposed on woman for "most serious" neglect of her children
Summary
The Court of Appeal refused to review a fully suspended four‑year prison sentence that had been imposed on a 40‑year‑old woman for the "most serious" neglect of five girls and two boys over a ten‑year period from March 2001 to July 2010. The woman had pleaded guilty at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court and was given a sentence suspended in full for seven years by Mr Justice Carroll Moran on 25 February 2013. The Director of Public Prosecutions applied for a review on the ground that the sentence was "unduly lenient", but Mr Justice Seán Ryan, President of the Court of Appeal, rejected the application. He noted that the case involved a "catalogue of abuse" and "very serious crimes", and that the woman had shown rehabilitative efforts, including attending Alcoholics Anonymous and engaging with the probation service.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Appeal court refuses review of suspended sentence imposed on woman for "most serious" neglect of her children. Charges or matters: the neglect of five girls and two boys at different periods from March 2001 to July 2010. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- March 2001 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 25 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-07-20 Publication
Why: If the court declared the sentence to be unduly lenient, Mr Justice Ryan said the question of a new sentence would in effect be irrelevant because a custodial sentence would not be appropriate. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: the neglect of five girls and two boys at different periods from March 2001 to July 2010 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The Court of Appeal has refused to review an entirely suspended sentence imposed on a woman for the "most serious" neglect of her children over a ten year period. The hopes reflected in the judge's sentence had in fact been realised because the mother had conducted herself in a manner which was entirely consistent with the obligations imposed on her, Mr Justice Ryan said.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Ennis
- Ennis Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Related court reports
- Tech worker couldn't meet heating bills after €150k salary went unpaid for months, WRC hears
- 'Some crimes you can't walk away from': pair high on laughing gas when they randomly attacked woman
- Former accountant went on 'nationwide tour' with bank card stolen from hospital patient
- Five years for man who killed pensioner with 'MMA' back spin kick
- Young man who killed pensioner with 'MMA' back spin kick remanded in custody
- Young man killed pensioner with 'back spin kick like MMA'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request