Mother, 39, jailed for neglecting seven of her children

A 39-year-old mother has been sentenced to four-and-a half years in prison with the final six months suspended for beating, starving and neglecting seven of her children over five years, often leaving them for days in the care of strange men, one of whom was a paedophile.

The woman, who cannot be named in order to protect the identity of the children, who are now aged five to 19, was found guilty in January following a nine-day trial at Galway Circuit Criminal Court of 29 charges of child cruelty and neglect at six locations between September 1, 2006, and May 12, 2011.

Charges relating to an eighth child were withdrawn from the jury at the end of the trial.