Woman (53) who left children alone has case adjourned

A 52-year-old woman who left alone two young children in her care, has had her case further adjourned.

Last October, Lisa Smith, Lagavooren Manor, Drogheda, pleaded guilty to two counts of cruelty to children, under Section 246 of the Children Act, 2001.

She also admitted two counts of careless driving, having no insurance, failing to produce insurance, no driving licence and failing to produce a licence, at Lagavooren Manor on 7 September, 2015.

Evidence was given that Smith is a childminder, and good references helped her secure a job with the family in question in Laytown.

However, she has a drink problem, and had spent time in an alcohol treatment centre.

Garda Theresa Marie Sheridan said Smith arrived at the house at 7am on 7 September, 2015, before the children’s parents left for work.

At 8.30am, the father received a phone call from a neighbour, who had seen Smith leave the house, get into a car and drive away.

The children, aged five and six, were spotted crying at the front window.

At the end of the original hearing, Judge Coughlan said under no circumstances is Smith to have anything to do with children, before adjourning the matter.

Last Friday, a lengthy probation report was in court, and the judge decided to follow the advice of the probation service.

He adjourned the case to 25 September, 2018, and ordered an updated probation report.

Smith was granted legal aid.