Daughter gives mum ‘a savage beating’, says Limerick judge
A LIMERICK judge said a woman giving her 75-year-old mother “a savage beating” was “one of the most severe assaults” he had come across.
The Limerick woman, who cannot be named to protect the identity of her mother, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm.
The case was before Judge Tom O’Donnell in Limerick Circuit Court last Wednesday for sentencing after the evidence was heard in July 2022.
Judge O’Donnell said the “serious assault” took place in 2021 when the defendant’s mother was 75-years-old.
“This is one of the most severe assaults I have come across. There were fractures involved. The nature and the ferocity of it was at the highest level. There is an explanation in the probation report that I am not going into. There are no circumstances where the violence shown to this lady’s mother can be tolerated by society. It was a savage beating,” said Judge O’Donnell.
Brian McInerney BL, who represented the accused, said the mother had discharged a barring order that was in place against the daughter. The barrister said his client has engaged with an alcohol treatment centre and PALLS. “She has come a long way,” said Mr McInerney.
Judge O’Donnell said at the time of the assault the mother and daughter were living together but that has changed.
The judge said the mitigating factors for the defendant were that the mother has removed the barring order, her plea of guilty so her mother didn’t have to give evidence, and the efforts she has made in “trying to rid herself of her demons”.
“She is doing remarkably well. I respect the steps the accused has taken that are ongoing and will be ongoing but this should not have happened. It was because of alcohol and the accused’s addiction,” said Judge O’Donnell, who spoke of the “shame” she must feel at the injuries caused to her mother in the sober light of day.
The judge imposed a three year prison sentence, which he suspended in full. The judge ordered she remain under the care of the Probation Service and be of good behaviour for three years.
“But for the efforts she has made in the last 12 months I was very close to sending her to prison for three years,” said Judge O’Donnell, who told the accused, “I don't want to see you again”.