A Cork woman who smothered her eight-year-old son to death with a pillow has been given a seven year suspended sentence.
Mr Justice Barry White said the case was “particularly tragic” as Diane Ward was “clearly very troubled” at the time of the killing at her home in Harrison’s Place, Charleville in September 2012.
The court heard that in the early hours of September 3rd, 2012, Diane Ward smothered her son with a pillow, attempted to take her own life and left a note saying “bury us together”.
Ms ward (44) had survived the suicide attempt and she later pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of young Anthony (8).
The Central Criminal Court was told that there had been a major rift in her family and she had fears there would be nobody to look after her son if she took her own life. Ms Ward had been sentenced to the Central Mental Hospital back in 2012, but it has since been revealed that she no longer meets the criteria for a mental disorder.
Mr Justice Barry White has decided to impose a seven year suspended sentence, having heard evidence from a consultant psychiatrist that there is a suitable voluntary in-patient placement for her in Cork. Although Mr Justice Barry White stated that sentence would be suspended as long Ms Ward remained there until such time she is considered fit to return to the community.