Laois Court Hears Of Child Being Swung Around By Legs

The case was heard in Portlaoise District Court.

A judge in Laois says the threshold has been met for an interim care order for two infant children after a video of one of them being swung by their legs was shown in court.

The video was brought before a recent sitting of Portlaoise District Court by the Child and Family Agency.

The Irish Independent is reporting the agency had four videos which they obtained anonymously from a member of the public.

One of them allegedly shows the father of the children swinging one of them back and forth by the legs with both parents appearing amused.

Another reportedly shows a child sitting between a bed and wall - with a social worker telling the court the mother had told her the infant had fallen off the bed but is now denying that's what happened.

Following this interaction, the social worker set up a safety plan with the family and brought the children to the Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise where no injuries were discovered following examinations.

The witness added she saw wrappers, empty deli food containers and cigarette butts strewn across the floor on one visit, and saw the same rubbish still there on another.

Barristers for the parents objected to the inclusion of the videos on the basis of them being hearsay with no witness to verify their authenticity.

In a letter to the court the children's mother said she would never be done apologising and that she did not have a good upbringing.

Judge Andrew Gubbins said he has no doubt there is love present for the children but there was a lack of supervision and agreed with the social care worker that the threshold for an interim care order had been reached.

He said the parents have 28 days to ensure their home is suitable for the children, and for an attitude change, and does not envisage a full care order.

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