A 34-year-old woman who caused the death of her eight-week-old son and attempted to murder her two-year-old daughter during a double stabbing will be sentenced next Tuesday at Belfast Crown Court, according to court proceedings reported by local media.
Belfast Crown Court Details Upcoming Sentencing for Infanticide and Attempted Murder
Samuel Magee KC, prosecuting barrister, set out the sequence of events of July 27, 2021, explaining how officers reached the residence at 8.15pm to discover the woman bleeding from a neck wound and sitting on a bed in the living room cradling her wounded daughter who was screaming. The baby, who appeared lifeless, was lying on the bed and was pronounced dead at 9pm at the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children after sustaining two chest wounds, including one that penetrated his heart.
According to court submissions, the two-year-old girl sustained grave injuries but survived and is currently in foster care. Following her arrest, the woman was initially treated at the Mater Hospital before being taken to Musgrave police station two days later, where she told officers, according to the Irish News, “I killed my children … I’m really sorry for what I have done.” Medical evaluations by a consultant forensic psychiatrist concluded the accused was suffering from an abnormality arising from a depressive episode, with childbirth and postnatal effects acting as additional and significant stressors.
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Context of Domestic Incidents and Prior Events Leading to the Tragedy
Prosecuting counsel outlined a timeline of events leading up to the fatal incident, starting on July 24, 2021, when the woman contacted the PSNI to report a domestic incident alleging her partner had pushed her and that she felt unsafe, which resulted in his arrest and removal from the family home. Court proceedings revealed that during the afternoon of July 27, a family member of the children’s father visited the residence, and later that same day, the woman jotted down several diary notes indicating her partner had abandoned them for another woman and that she had decided to end their lives to prevent any further mockery.
Representing the defence, barrister Charles MacCreanor informed the court that his client had been a dedicated mother up until July 27th, 2021 and continues to inflict severe emotional punishment upon herself, mentioning that she has spent over five years behind bars since the occurrence while receiving zero visits apart from her solicitor and a Woman’s Aid representative. The defence asserted that the woman endured physical, financial, and sexual abuse perpetrated by her partner—who has since passed away—and lived in fear of the man, noting his extensive criminal history and background involving domestic incidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the sentencing take place?
Mr Justice Fowler stated he will pass sentence next Tuesday at Belfast Crown Court.
What charges does the defendant face?
The defendant entered a guilty plea regarding the attempted murder of her daughter and accepted responsibility for causing the death of an infant under 12 months through a deliberate stabbing act, though noting this occurred while her mental stability was impaired due to incomplete recovery from childbirth.
What support is available for those affected by these issues?
If you are affected by any issue in this article, you can contact Pieta House on 1800-247247 or reach the Samaritans 24/7 on freephone 116 123 and via email at jo@samaritans.ie.
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