Abuse victim thanks foster parents as mother awaits sentencing

By Ann Healy

The teenage daughter of a 39-year-old mother convicted on 29 counts of child neglect has thanked her for being so cruel to her – because she met her wonderful foster parents as a result.

“When I lived with my mother, I was full of anxiety. I get so angry with her for what she has done,” she told a sentencing hearing at Galway Circuit Criminal Court yesterday.

“When I lived with her I had no friends, no boundaries. She gave me drink and drugs at 14. However I am grateful for having my foster parents. That is one thing I have to thankful to her for,” the girl said.

The woman, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the children now aged between 19 and five, had pleaded not guilty to 42 charges of child cruelty and neglect, by wilfully assaulting, ill-treating, neglecting, or abandoning the children, or causing or allowing the children to be assaulted, ill-treated, neglected, or abandoned, between September 1, 2006, and May 12, 2011.

Sentencing has been adjourned until Monday.

See full report in this week’s Connacht Tribune.