Courts / Kildare / Report
Nigerian mother fails in bid to appeal suspended sentence for "shocking" child neglect
Summary
A 44‑year‑old Nigerian woman was given a wholly suspended four‑year sentence by Judge Patrick McCartan on 22 May 2014 for assault causing harm to her daughter and three counts of neglect and ill treatment of her children aged 2, 4 and 8 in Kildare in August 2012. The Court of Appeal dismissed her appeal on 28 July 2016. Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan noted that Gardaí arrived at the home in August 2012 and found the woman extremely intoxicated, the house in a state of filth, and the children lying in a bed soaked in urine with soiled nappies. Powdered milk four months out of date and no fresh food were also found. The children were unkempt and the four‑year‑old was not speaking. The social worker described the conditions as appalling and one of the most horrific incidents seen in ten years. The children were taken into foster care. The unnamed 44-year-old pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Nigerian mother fails in bid to appeal suspended sentence for "shocking" child neglect. Charges or matters: assault causing harm to her daughter as well as three counts of neglect and ill treatment of her children aged 2, 4 and 8 in Kildare on dates in August 2012. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- August 2012 Incident
- May 22, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2016-07-28 Publication
Why: The 44-year-old Nigerian native, whose details cannot be published in order to protect her children's identity, had pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to her daughter as well as three counts of neglect and ill treatment of her children aged 2, 4 and 8 in Kildare on dates in August 2012. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: assault causing harm to her daughter as well as three counts of neglect and ill treatment of her children aged 2, 4 and 8 in Kildare on dates in August 2012 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The Court of Appeal held that the sentence was not significantly out of line with those imposed in comparator cases. Mr Justice Sheehan, who sat with Mr Justice Alan Mahon and Mr Justice John Edwards, said no error had been identified in the judge's approach or in the sentence actually imposed.
Places mentioned
Topics
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