Mother to be sentenced for threatening to 'smother children in their sleep'

A woman told her ex-partner she would smother their two children in their sleep, and sent him a photo of her holding a pink-handle knife in front of their sleeping son’s face.

The woman told her ex-partner she understands “why people kill themselves and their kids” and the “only way Tusla is getting my kids is in a f*****g body bag”.

The accused, who pleaded guilty to four threat to kill charges at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, cannot be named to protect the identities of the young boy and girl.

Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Sergeant Fiona O’Connell.

Mr O’Sullivan said the accused had been in a long-term relationship with the man for eight years.

“It had ended badly. They have two children from the relationship,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

The man contacted gardai in December 2022 and made complaints that the accused made threats to kill their two children,

Sgt O’Connell said the man handed over his phone and an advanced logical extraction was carried out.

Mr O’Sullivan said three videos and three images were extracted from the device.

“On July 15, 2022, she sent him a voicemail via Facebook saying, ‘Every time you don’t answer I am going to hit (name of daughter)’. A child can be heard crying in the background.

“On November 23, 2022, she rang him on Snapchat, which he recorded, and said, ‘I will cut their throats in two seconds’,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

The prosecuting barrister said the accused also told her partner the “only way Tusla is getting my kids is in a f*****g body bag”.

“She sent a picture of their son asleep as she holds a pink-handle knife in front of his face. She said, ‘I am in the bed with him. I will cut his throat’,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

A screenshot of a message, extracted from the man’s phone, from the accused read: “I’ll smother them in their sleep. I understand why people do it - kill themselves and their kids.”

The woman was arrested in December, 2022, with Sgt O’Connell saying the woman admitted her involvement.

Mr O’Sullian said the accused has one previous conviction for smuggling drugs into prison.

Sgt O’Connell said Tusla became involved. Her ex-partner has sole exclusive custody of the children and one of her bail conditions is that she has no unsupervised access with the two children.

Liam Carroll, barrister for the accused, said there was a very poor relationship between the parties with both independently describing the relationship as “toxic”. Sgt O’Connell agreed.

Mr Carroll said they were trying to inflict hurt and pain on the other party.

“I would accept that,” said Sgt O’Connell.

The defence barrister said the reason his client sent those messages was to hurt her ex-partner.

“Yes. That is the explanation she provided,” said Sgt O’Connell.

Mr Carroll said the defendant hasn’t come to garda attention since December 2022, has had her difficulties with drugs but has turned a corner.

Judge Tom O’Donnell said he is a little bit concerned that if he sentences the woman that the bail conditions would fall.

Mr Carroll said the judge is worried that “we’ll have a situation where she is outside her ex-partner’s house”.

“That won’t happen. She is beginning family law proceedings in January,” said Mr Carroll.

Judge O’Donnell put the matter back until February for a full picture. The judge asked Mr Carroll to reserve his position regarding mitigation until then.