FOSTER MUM LOSES IN BATTLE TO ADOPT TOT Bat attacker had bottle of whiskey, 50 pills and beer It’s a Hol lot of cash.. Tusla backs birth mother’s wish ‘a couple’ take child
Jason Burke A MAN consumed a bottle of whiskey, four cans of beer and 50 tablets before battering a cancer patient, a court heard yesterday.
During the 40-minute assault with a baseball bat, Jason Burke, 21, told James Delaney: “If the cancer doesn’t kill you, I will.”
Burke, of no fixed abode, admitted threatening to kill or cause serious harm to the 61-year-old at his home at Fana Ghael in Shannon, Co Clare, last July 26.
He also pleaded guilty at Ennis Circuit Court to assault causing harm.
Det Gda David Laing told the judge Burke was “in a frenzied rage and he was shouting and roaring that he was going to kill James Delaney and that he was the king”.
The victim has prostate, stomach and bowel cancer and was on crutches after breaking a leg.
During the attack, Burke came across some of his medication under a couch and went through kitchen cabinets looking for more.
His lawyer Patrick Whyms said he had a bottle of Hennessy, four cans and 50 tablets. He was found walking around Nenagh disorientated and intoxicated.
Burke asked Mr Whyms to offer an unreserved apology to Mr Delaney.
Judge Gerald Keys remanded him in custody until May 21 for sentence. HOLLY Carpenter is red-dy and waiting to see if there are any winners in tonight’s big Lotto draw.
The former Miss
Ireland was at The Cliff Townhouse in Dublin to remind punters about the estimated €6.5million jackpot up for grabs. A FOSTER mum who cared for a baby since birth has lost a legal battle to adopt it as its birth mother wants the child to go to “a couple”.
The woman was commended yesterday by Judge Brendan Toale for her “extraordinary” job in looking after the infant, who has suffered extreme health issues.
A Dublin court heard the baby – whose sex we cannot reveal – was left battling for life after being born prematurely.
The birth mother never saw it again or had any role in its life and the child was placed for adoption.
The foster mother, a lone parent, answered a request by Child and Family Agency Tusla to visit the sick youngster in hospital to “cuddle” and “hold” it.
It was later signed into voluntary foster care and she took it home.
During a two-day hearing, Judge Toale was told the birth mother did not want the foster mum – described as “the only permanent adult in [the child’s] life” – to adopt as she had a preference for a couple.
She was backed by Tusla social workers who supported her right to choose the “type of family”.
The foster mother claimed the agency’s stance denied her rights and discriminated against her for being a lone parent.
She said she had asked to be considered for adoption shortly before learning a couple had come forward. However, the court was told the child had been in pre-adoptive care, meaning it could not be adopted by the foster family.
Social workers said the birth mother’s preference was for a “two-parent family” as she believed it was in the best interests of the child. A solicitor for Tusla added they had no issue with the foster care provided.
Judge Toale said the court did not have the jurisdiction to reassess the assessments carried out under the Adoption Act.
Last night the foster mum told the Irish Mirror: “I begged social workers to ask the birth mother to meet me and my children.
“I got no response and after five days the child was taken from a hospital bed and moved into a new house. How could that be in the best interests of any child?”
In a statement, Tusla said: “All applicants are assessed in line with the Adoption Act under a range of criteria, which indicate the applicants’ overall suitability to care for the child.”
I begged social workers to ask the birth mum to meet me FOSTER MOTHER
YESTERDAY