IMPOSING SENTENCE, Judge Raymond Groarke said it was incredible that the abuse could go on for so many years in a community with little or no intervention.
He said what was described by Sgt McNamara was a life given over to actions of neglect, abuse and torture of the children.
“These children were kept as prisoners by their mother. The girls’ hair was cut and they were not allowed to claim the dole lest they would have financial independence and run away. One child was beaten by the mother so that he would appear handicapped, so financial subvention would be given to the mother.
“Not only were the children treated like slaves, but they were viewed by their mother as economic units and she was able to use the children to the best economic purpose that she could.
“What is it that can make a mother behave as this lady behaved? Was it because she was sexually abused as a child? It’s very difficult to say that would be so. Was it because she was an alcoholic from an early age? That might give some insight into the situation but this lady has little if any notion of remorse for what she has done.
“She is far more concerned about her own self-esteem. She views the Garda investigation and this case as an interruption to her life. The woman is not ill and does not have any psychiatric or psychological illness and she knows the difference between right and wrong. She has no insight or remorse for what has happened. It’s quite impossible to know what the motivation is for this woman. She diverted the greater part of the family income away from the children and she has imposed a life sentence on them. Being an alcoholic is no excuse. You don’t beat children, tie them to a tree or to a horse . . . just because you’re an alcoholic.”
He sentenced the woman to three years in prison on each charge to run consecutively. He suspended the final 16 years of the 24-year sentence, stating there was no need to impose conditions as he believed she could no longer harm her children on her release.