Childminder in court for leaving children home alone in Laytown

A 51-year-old woman has been warned to have nothing more to do with children, after she left alone a five-year-old and a six-year-old in her care.

Lisa Smith, 10 Lagavooren Manor, Drogheda, was before the district court on two counts of cruelty to children, under Section 246 of the Children Act, 2001.

She pleaded guilty to the charges, as well as a number of motoring offences, arising out of this incident 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 gave evidence that 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 were spotted crying at the front window.

Gda. Sheridan added the Child and Family Agency were informed, and attempted to hand into court a letter from them, but Judge Coughlan said he was not interested in letters, and wanted to know why the agency was not present.

The judge was told there was nothing at all against the parents in this case. They had no involvement, having gone to work.

Judge Coughlan wanted to know how Smith got the job in the first place.

He heard she had good references, and had been manager of a child care facility for 17 years.

‘I think she should be banned from minding children,’ the judge observed.

Solicitor, James Allen said his client wishes to apologise to the parents.

He added the issue is alcohol. Smith had two spells in Cuan Mhuire, and her marriage had broken down.

Judge Coughlan said he wants the probation service to liaise with the Child and Family Agency on this, and put the case back to 2 February, 2018.

‘I will accept a plea of guilty to everything,’ said the judge, and addressing the defendant he added, ‘Under no circumstances are you to be involved with children.’

The motoring offences concern two charges of careless driving, and charges of no insurance, failing to produce insurance, no driving licence and failing to produce a licence at Lagavooren Manor on 7 September, 2015.