Suspended sentence for mother who assaulted daughter

By Eimear Dodd

A Dublin woman who assaulted her teenage daughter after an argument has been handed a fully suspended prison sentence.

The 41-year-old, who can’t be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on November 10, 2021.

Judge Martin Nolan said this was a “sad case” in which a dispute between the woman – who had a problem with alcohol at the time – and her daughter, went from “verbal to physical”.

He handed the woman a 16-month suspended sentence, saying she did not deserve to go to prison at this point.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the then 16-year-old girl went to her local garda station and told them her mother had punched her. She said her mother had also hit her with something.

The teenage girl had swelling and bruising to her face and a laceration to her head.

Tusla were contacted and gardaí went to the girl’s home. They noticed a smell of alcohol from the woman when she answered the door. She said she’d had an argument with her daughter the previous night.

A local garda said two younger children were also living in the house and gardaí observed a small amount of food, along with a mattress in the sitting room. The woman said she was having difficulty managing the children and getting them to bed. Dried blood was observed on the floor and bed in the victim’s room.

The woman was arrested and during interview, she said she couldn’t remember what had happened, but accepted she had caused injuries to her daughter.

She admitted to having an issue with drink and said she had been drinking wine with a neighbour that night. The woman was extremely apologetic and remorseful, describing herself as a “bad mother”. She said she “should not drink” and would never drink again. She also expressed worry for her daughter.

The three children were taken into care by Tusla. The court heard that the younger children have since returned to the care of the woman, while the victim has availed of Tusla’s aftercare services.

The garda said Tusla has put a safety plan in place. He said the woman has followed all instructions and engaged fully with the child and family agency.

She has one previous minor conviction. No victim impact statement was provided to the court.

Judge Nolan noted Tusla are “taking a close interest in this family”, monitoring the situation and providing support to them.