Date set for sentencing in child neglect case

A sentence date has been set for a father convicted earlier this year of neglect and physical abuse of his children.

The 42-year-old man, who can not be named to protect the identity of the children, was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury last April, following a 13-day trial, of neglecting four of his children and three counts of assaulting each of his sons on dates between January and September 2007.

The jury failed to agreed a verdict on the final counts of rape and sexual assault of the man’s daughter and a charge of neglecting a fifth child. The Director of Public Prosecutions has not yet indicated whether there will be a retrial on these counts.

Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne set a sentence date of July 27 next when full facts will be heard.