Courts / Dublin / Report
Mother who neglected daughter to extent she was hospitalised with severe head lice infestation gets suspended sentence
Summary
A 57‑year‑old Dublin mother was given a suspended sentence of two and a half years for child neglect after her 15‑year‑old daughter was hospitalised twice for a severe head lice infestation. The court heard the girl's hair was "rock solid" with lice and eggs, with a head lice expert finding between 900 and 1,000 lice. The mother had left the daughter alone in the summer of 2018, taking €100 for food and travelling to the UK, while the daughter was left without shower facilities and with a matted, lice‑laden head. The mother pleaded guilty to one count of child neglect covering 2013‑2018. Judge Martin Nolan described the neglect as "cruelty by omission" and suspended the sentence in full, noting the daughter's condition had improved since the incident.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Mother who neglected daughter to extent she was hospitalised with severe head lice infestation gets suspended sentence. Charges or matters: one count of child neglect on dates between 2013 and 2018, when the girl was aged between nine and 15. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 2018 Other
- 2013 and 2018 Other
- 2024-04-23 Publication
Why: She said she hadn't showered for a period of two months and she was struggling to sleep because of the noise. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of child neglect on dates between 2013 and 2018, when the girl was aged between nine and 15 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: A mother who neglected her daughter to the extent that she hospitalised twice due to a severe head lice infestation has been given a suspended sentence. He handed down a sentence of two and a half years which he suspended in full.
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'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request