A woman who beat and neglected her children, often leaving them without food, will be sentenced this afternoon.
The abuse took place over a five-year period at various addresses in the west of Ireland.
It’s been three months since the woman, who’s 39, was convicted on 29 charges of cruelty and neglect.
During her trial, the jurors heard distressing details of how she used to beat her children with leather belts and wooden back-scratchers.
She used to pour washing-up liquid down the throats of two of her sons and would leave them in the care of strangers for days. Neighbours used to feed them and buy them clothes.
Her eldest daughter described being held underwater after using bad language. On another occasion, her mother banged her head against a counter because she’d dyed her hair.
The children’s Victim Impact Statements were read out last week.
They described feelings of abandonment, inadequacy and fear. One of her sons said he didn’t think his life was worth living when he was 7. He said he felt like a punching bag.
Last December, the woman’s former partner pleaded guilty to five charges of assault and neglect. Both will be sentenced this afternoon.
