Wednesday 28 October 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. 1756Child neglect (section 246(1) Children's Act 2001) · Co. Cork · 1 Nov 2021

Woman convicted of child neglect in Cork has sentencing adjourned

A 42-year-old woman pleaded guilty to neglecting her two daughters in their Cork home between November 2021 and February 2023, a period during which she invited men into the house to abuse drugs with her. One daughter told the court she witnessed a partner of her mother punch his own mother almost unconscious in the kitchen, and that she began self-harming at eight and later attempted suicide. The woman was convicted of child neglect under section 246(1) of the Children's Act 2001 at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Dermot Sheehan adjourned sentencing to 14 May 2025, saying he needed to consider the probation report, the woman's remorse, and the general issue of deterrence for people in charge of children.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted30 Apr
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A 42-year-old woman neglected her two daughters while inviting men into their home to abuse drugs with her.
  • One daughter witnessed a partner of her mother punch his own mother almost unconscious in the kitchen.
  • The daughter began self-harming at age eight and later attempted suicide.
  • The daughter gave a victim impact statement saying she will always view her mother as a stranger.
Where
The neglect took place in the family's home in Cork.
When
The neglect of the two daughters occurred between November 2021 and February 2023.
Charges
The woman pleaded guilty to child neglect under section 246(1) of the Children's Act 2001.
In court
Judge Dermot Sheehan at Cork Circuit Criminal Court adjourned sentencing to 14 May 2025.
Other details
  • A probation report noted the woman accepted her guilt and was remorseful, and her senior counsel Elizabeth O'Connell asked for leniency citing her rehabilitation.
  • The judge said he needed to consider the factors alongside the general issue of deterrence for people in charge of children.
7 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe woman invited men into the home to abuse drugs with her. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe daughter said she will always view her mother as a stranger. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe daughter witnessed one of her mother's partners punch his own mother almost unconscious in the kitchen. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe daughter began self-harming when she was eight years old. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe daughter later attempted suicide. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe neglect of the two daughters occurred in their Cork home between November 2021 and February 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Dermot Sheehan adjourned the matter until 14 May for finalisation of sentencing. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Apr2025
    Convictedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Woman convicted of neglecting daughters now sees events through their eyes, court hears

    Sentencing adjourned to 14 May 2025; daughter gave victim impact statement describing neglect, drug abuse, and violence by one of the mother's partners; judge noted need to consider deterrence for those in charge of children.

    convicted, 42, femalevictim, femalevictim, femalesuspect, male