Courts / Dublin / Report

Suspended sentence for woman who beat her nine-year-old son

Summary

A 39‑year‑old foreign national was given a two‑year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to wilful assault of her nine‑year‑old son on 24 June 2012. The mother beat the child with a tree branch and poured salt over his wounds after he had soiled his trousers. She then forced him to sleep in the bath and left him there. The court noted the mother's apology and remorse, and that she now recognises such discipline is unacceptable in Ireland. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed a two‑year sentence, suspended in full for two years. The case was brought to court after the boy reported the abuse to his teacher, who alerted authorities. No prior convictions were recorded for the mother. The child and his siblings were briefly placed in care but have since returned to the family.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for woman who beat her nine-year-old son. Charges or matters: wilful assault of her son at their home on June 24, 2012. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• June 24, 2012 Incident
• 2015-08-01 Publication

Why: The woman was interviewed by gardai and said she had hit her son with a small tree branch from the front garden because she was annoyed he had soiled himself. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report