Shauna Kinsella, who pleaded guilty to three counts of assaulting a toddler and her parents

A young woman who accidentally stabbed an 18-month-old girl while she was attacking the child’s mother has avoided going to prison.

Shauna Kinsella (20), of Grace Park Meadows, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, pleaded guilty to three counts of assaulting the toddler and her parents in their Dublin home on February 2, 2012. She has no previous convictions.

The toddler, who was in her mother’s arms during the attack, was later treated for a 2cm cut to her cheek and an injury to her forehead. Her then 27-year-old mother sustained stab wounds to the abdomen, left chest, left arm and scalp.

The woman’s then 39-year-old partner had one stab injury to his lower chest wall. The family have all since physically recovered and the baby has not been left with a scar.

Judge Mary Ellen Ring gave Kinsella a three-year sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, but suspended it fully on condition that she remain supervised by probation and welfare services for 18 months.

She also said Kinsella is entitled to credit for time spent in custody between last December and April of this year.

Judge Ring warned her that the sentence will be reactivated if she commits any minor offence or fails to cooperate with probation services.

Kinsella had been granted bail in April to avail of part-time residential drug treatment at the Cavan Centre in Ballyjamesduff.

The court heard she has engaged well with support services and is off abusive substances including alcohol.

Judge Ring said the probation and welfare reports were “encouraging” but that Kinsella needs to continue her cooperation with services to ensure support for her mental and physical health.

Online Editors