Girl missing school is ‘child abuse’, warns judge
Ingrida Maciokaite, 31, was murdered outside a block of flats in broad daylight on Tuesday.
The victim had a row with a man moments before she was knifed in the chest in Co Louth.
Gardai were last night continuing to question a Lithuanian man they arrested close to the scene in Bridgewater Mews on Linenhall Street, Dundalk.
A neighbour said he was shaken by the incident, adding: “The whole day, it leaves a daunting effect on people living here.” His partner told RTE: “Someone Judge Durcan A JUDGE yesterday told a mother that to deprive a youngster of education “is child abuse of the worst kind”.
He also warned the woman if she didn’t address her 14-yearold’s absenteeism she would be sent to Limerick prison in a “Paddywagon”. Judge Patrick Durcan told the weeping mother: “I know you’re upset. I don’t do upset. What I am trying to do is to protect the children.”
At Kilrush District Court in Co Clare, he added he wanted the case brought back before him on a fortnightly basis to monitor the case closely.
The woman has pleaded guilty to failing to cause her child to attend school on April 17 and nine subsequent days.
The Child and Family Agency’s solicitor Kevin Sherry said there is a “chronic history of absenteeism in relation to the child who is in third year”.
Judge Durcan asked the mother come towards the bench and told her: “What I have read in the report from the CFA and what Mr Sherry has outlined to me now is nothing short of appalling.”
Mr Sherry said the teenager “has effectively missed a 100 days in post-primary education”.
Judge Durcan adjourned the case to Ennis District Court on September 28.