Mother jailed for child abuse

A mother found drunk, with her two-year-old son clutching a can of beer, has been jailed. The toddler who was visibly sunburnt was sitting in a wet nappy, wearing only socks and shorts with a six-pack of beer between his legs and complaining of being hungry after gardai stopped a car at a popular seaside resort. The court heard that he had an open beer can in his hand and a smell of alcohol from his breath. The mother admitted all charges and apologised for what happened in Ballybunion, Co Kerry last year. Gardai said the four adults in the car were all drunk, with the mother in the front passenger seat and the young boy in the back.
Judge James O’Connor jailed the woman from Limerick for eight months for child cruelty and a further five months for possession of a knife with intent to cause injury. The knife was hidden in her bra. She pleaded guilty to all charges. The horrific details were revealed at a Kerry court sitting. The vehicle had driven the wrong way up a one-way street in Ballybunion, Co Kerry. Solicitor Pat Enright said that while his client was pleading guilty to all charges and admitted she was intoxicated, she disputed that the child was drinking beer and argued that one person in the car was sober.