Cork woman to be sentenced for smothering young son
A Cork woman is to be sentenced today for smothering her eight-year-old son to death.
Diane Ward pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of her son Anthony at their home at Harrison's Place in Charleville on September 3, 2012.
Diane Ward left a note asking that she and her son Anthony be buried together before attempting to take both their lives.
She survived the suicide attempt but tragically she smothered her son to death in bed just hours before he was due to start a new school year.
The 44-year-old admits manslaughter and has been in the Central Mental Hospital since 2012 being treated for recurrent depressive disorder.
However, at her sentencing hearing a consultant psychiatrist gave evidence that Diane Ward no longer meets the criteria for a mental disorder.
Mr Justice Barry White is considering a non-custodial sentence, but first he wants to hear what services can be put in place for her.
