Sunday 1 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 0238Child cruelty · Co. Limerick · 8 Sep 2023

Man charged with child cruelty after toddler found on roof in Limerick

A two-year-old child was found unaccompanied on the ledge of a three-storey apartment building roof in Limerick City, covered in faeces and non-verbal, at around 2pm on September 8, 2023. Neighbours brought the child to safety and he was taken by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick, where no physical injuries were found. The child's father, in his 40s, was charged with one count of child cruelty and appeared before Judge Patricia Harney at Limerick District Court, who refused jurisdiction and remanded him in custody with consent to bail. The child's mother is a co-accused and is also on bail; both are to appear before Limerick District Court in December for further directions from the DPP.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court28 Sep
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A two-year-old child was found unaccompanied on the ledge of a three-storey apartment building roof, covered in faeces and non-verbal.
Where
The incident occurred at an apartment complex in Limerick City.
When
Gardaí responded to a report of a child alone on a roof at around 2pm on September 8, 2023.
Cause
Both parents are believed to have been under the influence of intoxicants at the time.
Investigation
Neighbours took the toddler down from the ledge and brought him back to safety.
Other details
  • The child was taken by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick and had no physical injuries.
  • The family's apartment was found littered with rubbish, mould and faeces.
  • The man cannot be named due to a court order protecting the child's identity under the Children's Act.
Charges
The man, in his 40s, is charged with one count of child cruelty.
In court
  • The man appeared before Judge Patricia Harney at Limerick District Court, who refused jurisdiction so the matter will likely proceed at the Circuit Court.
  • The child's mother is a co-accused and is also on bail; both are to appear before Limerick District Court in December for further directions from the DPP.
Sentence
The man was remanded in custody with consent to bail on his own bond of €100, with conditions including residing at an approved address, signing on three days a week, no contact with witnesses, and remaining alcohol- and drug-free.
28 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA two-year-old child was found unaccompanied on the ledge of a roof of a three-storey apartment building and covered in faeces. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA witness told gardaí the child was alone on a ledge of the three-storey building. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatWhen gardaí called to the apartment, the man told them the child was asleep with his partner. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGardaí found the apartment littered with rubbish, mould and faeces. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe toddler allegedly climbed onto the roof of a multi-storey apartment building. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatGardaí received a report that a child was on the roof of an apartment building. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatThe toddler was non-verbal and covered in faeces when gardaí arrived. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatThe toddler was taken to University Hospital Limerick by ambulance and had no physical injuries. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatThe family's apartment was covered in rubbish, mould and faeces. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe incident occurred at an apartment complex in Limerick City. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe man appeared at Limerick District Court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenGardaí responded to the call at around 2pm on 8 September 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident took place in the autumn of 2023. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenGardaí received a report at about 2pm. (limerickleader.ie)
  • causeBoth parents are believed to have been under the influence of intoxicants at the time. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationNeighbours took the toddler down from the ledge and brought him back to safety. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeThe man was charged with one count of child cruelty. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe man is charged with child cruelty. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtJudge Patricia Harney refused jurisdiction and remanded the man in custody with consent to bail on his own bond of €100. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe man was required to reside at a garda-approved address, sign on three days a week, have no contact with witnesses, and remain alcohol- and drug-free. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBoth accused were remanded on bail to appear before Limerick District Court in December for further directions from the DPP. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe man appeared before Judge Patricia Harney. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe child's mother is a co-accused and is also before the courts over the matter. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe mother is now on bail. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge refused jurisdiction, so the matter will likely proceed at the Circuit Court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe accused will next appear before Limerick District Court in December. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe accused was remanded in custody with consent to bail. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe child was taken by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick for a medical assessment. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Sep2026
    In courtlimerickleader.ie, its first report
    Father in court accused of child cruelty following incident at Limerick apartment

    Court report on the appearance of the father. The incident is dated to the autumn of 2023 with no exact date. The child's mother is a co-accused and is on bail.

    accused, 40s, maleaccused, femalevictim, under three, male
  2. 28 Sep2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Man charged with child cruelty after child (2) found on roof ledge covered in faeces

    First report of the father's charge hearing at Limerick District Court; details the circumstances of the child being found on the roof, the condition of the apartment, and the bail conditions imposed. Also notes the mother's earlier appearance and that both face further directions from the DPP in December.

    accused, 40s, maleaccused, femalevictim, 2