Mother pleads guilty to neglect and ill-treatment of her seven children

A mother has pleaded guilty to the neglect and ill-treatment of her seven children over a number of years.

At Ennis Circuit Court, the woman — who cannot be named for legal reasons — pleaded guilty to the neglect of the five girls and two boys at different periods from Mar 2001 to Jul 2010.

The children are in the care of the HSE.

The 38-year-old woman, with an address in Co Clare, had pleaded to having in custody or care children which she willfully assaulted, ill-treated, neglected and abandoned, exposing the children and likely to cause unnecessary suffering to their health or seriously affect their wellbeing. The charges are contrary to Section 246 of the Children’s Act.

The book of evidence was served on the accused at Ennis District Court earlier this month and she pleaded guilty in the circuit court.

In the case, the mother pleaded guilty to two charges of neglect and ill-treatment against one girl at two different addresses from Mar 28, 2001, to Apr 24, 2009.

She also pleaded guilty to the neglect and ill-treatment of two girls between Jul 10, 2004, and Apr 20, 2009, and pleaded guilty to the same charge against a fourth girl between Oct 17, 2008, and Jul 22, 2010.

The woman also pleaded guilty to the neglect and ill-treatment of a fifth girl on dates between Apr 16, 2005, and April 20, 2009, and the ill-treatment and neglect of two boys between Jul 10, 2004, to Apr 20, 2009.

Counsel for the woman, Pat Whyms BL, said it was an appropriate case for a probation report and Judge Carroll Moran ordered that such a report be carried out on the woman.

Judge Moran adjourned the case to Ennis Circuit Court to later this year and Mr Whyms said he hoped the sentencing hearing would take place at an early opportunity.