Father jailed for three years for child neglect

A Clare father who "sacrificed the welfare of his children for alcohol" has been given a four-year sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for the neglect and ill treatment of six children.

The eldest victim, now 19, said she was 10 when she was left to care for her six-week-old sister. She said the baby slept beside her in a single bed, and when she was unable to stop the infant crying during the night, the accused hit her in the face. The foster parents of some of the children said they were not toilet-trained or able to shower or use a toothbrush.

The 54-year-old man pleaded guilty to eight counts of child cruelty against six children between 2001 and 2010. He is the father of the five younger children.