Courts / Dublin / Report
Man who slapped son (8) over toileting issues is jailed
Summary
A 45-year-old man who slapped his eight-year-old son over toileting issues in 2018 has been jailed for two years and four months, with the final eight months suspended. The man pleaded guilty to child cruelty and assault causing harm. He has six previous convictions for domestic violence against the boy's mother. Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin described the incident as a breach of parental trust and noted the psychological impact on the boy, who now experiences anxiety. The man self-reported the incident to authorities in 2019. The court heard that the boy's mother did not report the incident to Tusla, and photos of the boy's injuries were shown in court. The man, who represented himself, expressed that he believed the judge was fair and questioned the sentence length. The judge allowed him to appeal the sentence to the Court of Appeal.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who slapped son (8) over toileting issues is jailed. Charges or matters: child cruelty and assault causing harm to the boy in June 2018. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- June 2018 Incident
- December 2019 Incident
- August 2020 Incident
- April 2024 Incident
- October 22, 2024 Other
- 2026-02-19 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: child cruelty and assault causing harm to the boy in June 2018 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: By Niamh O'Donoghue and Eimear Dodd A domestic abuser who slapped his eight-year-old son over toileting issues eight years ago has been jailed. She imposed a sentence of two years and four months, with the final eight months suspended on strict conditions including 12 months of supervision by the Probation Services post-release.; The man, who represented himself in court, interrupted the finalisation of sentence several times.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Dolphin House
Topics
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