Mother convicted of neglect and incest charges

A JUDGE has said that there will be extensive medical and psychiatric evidence to consider as she adjourned the sentencing of…

A JUDGE has said that there will be extensive medical and psychiatric evidence to consider as she adjourned the sentencing of a woman convicted of abusing and neglecting a number of her children.

The offences, including two counts of incest involving her second eldest son, took place at the family home.

She was also convicted of sexually assaulting the same son on two occasions.

The 40-year-old woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before a special Circuit Court sitting in Tullamore where she pleaded guilty to 10 offences which occurred between April 1st, 1998, and October 11th, 2004.

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The woman pleaded guilty to six counts of wilful neglect and ill-treatment involving six of her children, who today range in age from 10 to 18 years.

Judge Miriam Reynolds directed that all of the victims in this case be provided with the necessary care and counselling they required. She also requested that victim impact statements be prepared.

Five of the children are now in foster care and the eldest child lives with a relative.

Judge Reynolds said there would be extensive medical and psychiatric evidence to consider in the sentencing and that it would take some time.

She was satisfied that the woman was complying with strict bail conditions which had been imposed at a previous court and she remanded her on continuing bail to be sentenced in January 2009.

The woman was ordered to live at her present address and to sign on twice weekly at her local Garda station. She was also instructed to surrender her passport, if she had one, and ordered not to apply for a replacement.

A further bail condition is that she may not communicate with any of injured parties in any way.