A KILKENNY father of six has been warned he faces a three year sentence for battering his daughter unless he continues treatment for his alcohol problem and abides by probation conditions.
Judge Kieran O'Connor at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was told the 43 year old defendant would finish a full time course in alcohol treatment in a fortnight and was making good progress.
Judge O'Connor directed he do so and also that he sign on three times a week at Kilkenny Garda station. He was remanded on bail to April 24th. The defendant previously pleaded guilty to assaulting his then 15 year old daughter in August, 1994, at their Kilkenny home. He had no previous convictions.
An order was made prohibiting publication of the names of the defendant and victim to protect the family.
Garda Pat Starr told prosecuting counsel, Ms Miriam Malone, that the girl was in a shocked state, with dried blood on her face, when he met her after 11 p.m. in the town. The witness said it was later discovered the assault happened when her father came home drunk and went to her bedroom and struck her.