Dad admits to fracturing skull of 4-month-old son (Kerry, Ireland)

Well, I suppose it's nice that UNNAMED DAD finally came clean and admitted that he abused his infant son because he was "irritated" by the baby's crying. At first, he was lying about the abuse and claiming that the mother did it. The baby's skull was fractured by this poor "irritated" dad, along with the baby's ribs. And that's not going into the carpet burns and bruising....

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/1112/kerry.html

Man admits fracturing baby son's skull
Updated: 17:34, Friday, 12 November 2010

Sentencing in the case of a 26-year-old Kerry man, who admitted fracturing the head of his four-month-old baby boy because he was irritated by his crying, has been adjourned for one year.

Sentencing in the case of a 26-year-old Kerry man, who admitted fracturing the head of his four-month-old baby boy because he was irritated by his crying, has been adjourned for one year.

The adjournment is to see if he can stay off drugs and continue to receive counselling.

Judge Carroll Moran told the defendant, who initially blamed his partner for inflicting the injuries, that he was facing a three-year prison sentence.

He said his actions showed a pattern of cruelty which was deeply disturbing and placed it in a very serious category and was not just a case of neglect.

Tralee Circuit Criminal Court was told that the alarm was initially raised by a doctor at Kerry General Hospital who was concerned about 'non-accidental' injuries on the baby's body in April 2009.

The child had sustained a fracture to the right-hand side of his skull, three fractured ribs, carpet type burns to his nose, two black eyes, as well as old bruising on his ankles and bruising on his wrists.

The court was told that some of these injuries could have been fatal.

When questioned by gardaí, the father initially blamed his partner for the injuries but later admitted he had done it.

He told them that the baby's crying irritated him, especially if he had drink and drugs taken.

In the two-month period he lived with the victim, the crying would irritate him, he would set about to frighten the baby, and then shake him.

On one occasion, he shook the baby, skinning his nose off his cot, and the child fell to the ground bleeding heavily.

On another occasion while the mother of the baby was showering, he started shaking him until the baby cried and only stopped when she returned into the room.

A victim impact statement on behalf of the baby, who is now in care, was compiled and read out in court by a HSE Social Worker.

She said the toddler, who is nearly two years old, had suffered no mental impairment and showed no signs of psychological damage, although he did suffer from nightmares from time to time.

She said he is getting on with his life like a happy toddler but would have serious questions for his parents in later life.

The Defence Counsel said his client accepted what he did was wholly and completely unacceptable, a crime he has to live with every waking moment for the rest of his life.

Judge Moran described the details of the case as very disturbing, showing a pattern of cruelty to the baby which puts it in a very serious category.

However, he accepted that the accused had pleaded guilty, had no previous convictions, still has contact with his son, albeit under supervision, has given up drugs and that he was undertaking counselling.

He ruled that nothing could be reported that might identify the victim, including the name of his father.