A woman who ‘deprived her children of a childhood' as a result of neglect has walked free from court.

The 38-year-old mother of seven had already been found guilty of neglect over a nine-year period - 2001-2010. Yesterday, at Ennis Circuit Court, she was sentenced to four years in jail by Judge Carroll Moran. However, the sentence was suspended for seven years on certain conditions.

The children, now aged between four and 17, are currently in State care.

According to Judge Moran, the woman spent much of her time in a pub with her former partner, who is father of six of the seven children. Because of their drinking, ‘there was insufficient food in the house and sometimes no food at all'.

The children were often left on their own.

The eldest child, now aged 17, had described her mother in the witness box as ‘cruel and evil'.

Judge Moran noted that at the age of eight, the girl was left to look after her newborn sister despite being given ‘no explanation as to what she should do'.

"There was nothing to change nappies, to make bottles, to help the baby sleep," he said.

Judge Moran added that when the four youngest siblings were placed in care, they were frightened, malnourished and dirty. None were toilet trained.

He added that the mother's behaviour will have ‘long-lasting consequences' for her children.