Cork woman who beat her stepdaughter and force-fed her vinegar and chili powder during 10 years of torture sentenced to two years

A woman who treated her stepson like a modern-day Cinderella, even mocking her with the name “Cora Ella” while beating her with pickets and force-feeding her vinegar, mustard, salt and chili powder, has been imprisoned for two years.

19-year-old part-time cleaner Bridget Kenneally (49), Duncoran, Youghal, Co Cork pleaded guilty to one count of assault on Cora Desmond in Kenny’s Lane Youghal, Co Cork on an appointment between October 1 and October 31 October 2009. She was sentenced on a history of abuse of Ms. Desmond for more than 10 years.

Ms. Desmond, now 21, gave a powerful statement about the victim’s impact at a sentencing hearing in Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

She detailed the abuse that occurred at the hands of Ms. Kenneally from the age of 6 to sixteen.

She told Judge Sean O’Donnabhain that when she was five years old her father, who had full custody of her, entered into a relationship with Ms. Kenneally.

At first, Kenneally seemed “nice and caring,” but this honeymoon period didn’t last long.

“About six months into the 11-year relationship, the horrible abuse started with some slapping and punching, but then gradually got worse. Over the years, it became clear to me that he was nothing more than a punching bag for Bridget.

“Her children could go out with friends of their choice. My sister and I were denied the same freedom daily. Instead, we were confined to their residence to clean up what she and her children had.”

“Bridget gave me the name Cora Ella and told me that I was like Cinderella because I was the one who was not wanted or loved.”

Ms. Desmond said she lived a double life for eleven years feeling trapped at home waiting for the next beating or punishment. At school he said he was “happy, free and bubbly.” However, he eventually lost confidence.

“For eleven years he told me that no one would believe me if I spoke about the vile, sadistic, physical and mental torture to which I was subjected.

“They made me lie about my injuries and tell people that I was just a clumsy child. One of the many lies I had to tell was how I broke my thumb. The truth is, she broke it. She twisted my hand so badly that actually broke the bone.

“But that wasn’t the worst of it. On one of the occasions when I ended up in the hospital, I received a pretty bad beating to the head that caused swelling on the right side of my head and my face. that I hit my hit at Funderland, which I attended two weeks earlier. “

The supermarket worker, who says she is very grateful to Gardai for the sensitivity she showed her before the case, said her childhood involved physical and mental torture.

“One of the recurring daily punishments: he fed me excessive amounts of salt, pepper, mustard, chili powder and vinegar. Since I left his care, I have long-lasting negative reactions to certain smells and tastes. It brings back memories and flashbacks of the torture you put me through.

“There were constant verbal threats that he would kill me if I ever told someone about the abuse I suffered.”

Ms. Desmond said that due to the “heinous crime of cruelty” inflicted on her she suffers from depression and is afraid to go anywhere on her own.

“You (Bridget) stole my carefree childhood that all children have a right to. Now I understand that none of this was my fault and that I didn’t deserve any of it, although that’s what she led me to believe.”

Meanwhile, Sgt. Mark Ward said that during the abuse Cora Desmond was regularly beaten with pickaxes, vacuum sticks, belts and spatulas. Cora was hospitalized for a week in 2008 due to her injuries.

He said that Ms. Kenneally called Cora a variation of Cinderella and treated her and her sister differently from her biological children.

Cora was afraid of revealing the abuse when Bridget Kenneally told her that she would be separated from her brother. Over the years, among others, the principal of a national school he attended raised concerns. On one occasion, a GP found 50 bruises on his person.

Ms. Kenneally was informally interviewed in 2016 and was arrested in 2017 after a complaint was filed against her. She did not admit anything to Gardai, but ultimately pleaded guilty in the case.

Sgt Ward said the guilty plea was helpful to the court since a trial would have involved 14 witnesses.

Lawyer Patrick O’Riordan, who represented Ms Kenneally, said his client had pleaded guilty and paid 5,000 euros in compensation. Said she was a woman with no criminal record.

The minor attorney told the court that Kenneally had six children in her care at the time of the crimes and was having difficulty coping with the situation.

He said his client had “a long psychiatric history” and wanted to apologize to the victim in the case.

Judge Sean O’Donnabhain asked the victim if he felt the apology was genuine. He said he didn’t think Kenneally was sorry for his actions.

After reading the psychologists’ reports, Judge O’Donnabhain said that Kenneally seemed to blame everyone but her for his actions.

Judge O’Donnabhain said the entire abuse was justified in considering a prison sentence.

“This was a case of ongoing brutality. This was systemic abuse and cruelty. She (Cora) was deprived of a childhood due to the pain and misery she was subjected to.”

Judge O’Donnabhain jailed Kenneally for two years saying he was horrified by the story of the victim’s hospitalization and force-feeding.

After sentencing, Cora Desmond urged other victims of child abuse to come forward.

“I thought I was wasting my time and she would get away with what she did to me, but luckily I got some kind of justice. It’s something. I would tell people to speak up. Don’t be afraid to tell someone. Tell someone. and get out of the situation sooner rather than later, I was six when it started and sixteen when it ended.

I was slim and small and the easiest target. It’s finished. I’m out of it and I’m living my life. “