A WOMAN has pleaded guilty to failing to provide adequate food and clothing for five children.
The woman (33), who cannot be named to protect the children’s identity, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 10 counts of neglecting the children between May 2005 and September 2007.
Following an application from the prosecution, the court was cleared of uninterested parties before the hearing, except for members of the press.
This was due to the sensitive nature of the case.
However, a social worker with the HSE was also allowed to remain after he told the judge he wanted to hear the charges as there were concerns about the welfare of another child in the woman’s care.
The court was told there were outstanding issues in the District Court concerning this child.
Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the case until February when full evidence will be heard.
Isobel Kennedy SC, prosecuting, said all facts about the children’s condition and welfare will be heard on that date, not just evidence relating to their food and clothing.