A 27-year-old Co Kildare father was today jailed for life after he pleadedguilty to stabbing his baby daughter to death.
Derek Hickey of Newbridge in Co Kildare pleaded guilty in the CentralCriminal Court to the stabbing of three-and-a-half month old LeliahSmullen last April.
Hickey also admitted assaulting his then partner and Leliah's mother,Ms Sinéad Smullen, and is due to be sentenced on the assault charge next month.
Ms Smullen was in court today with her family to see her former boyfriend sentenced.
Gardaí were called to the couple's home when Ms Smullen wasspotted lying injured on Main Street in the town with stab injuries to her neck and back.
The baby - who would have been 17-months-old today - was later foundwhen gardaí went to the nearby apartment.
No further evidence was heard during the brief court hearing today inrelation to the circumstances surrounding the double stabbing.
PA