A woman who admitted the attempted murder of her husband and three young children has been given five suspended life sentences by the Central Criminal Court.
The 28-year-old woman had admitted setting fire to the family home in the mid-west in 2005.
The court imposed life sentences on the woman on four counts of attempted murder, and one count of arson, but suspended the sentences on condition the woman continue to undergo medical and psychiatric treatment.
The woman's husband told the court he had fully forgiven his wife for what she had done.
The mother of three left the Central Criminal Court this evening tightly clenching the hand of her husband. The couple held hands throughout most of the day as details were given in court of how the woman had used a small amount of petrol to set a fire at the home they shared with their three young children at a town in the mid-west in 2005.
The court was told that at the time she set the fire, the woman had been in an acute delusional state.
When gardaí had arrived at the house and rescued the man and children, they had detected the smell of petrol, and a criminal investigation began. The woman later admitted setting a fire.
It was only subsequently that she was diagnosed as being mentally unwell and the woman has since returned to live with her family and is liasing with gardaí and health services.
Her husband told the court he forgave his wife and they are now a million times stronger.
Mr. Justice Paul Carney said he noted the woman had taken full criminal responsibility for her actions. Taking into account the gravity of the offences, the background of mental illness, and the forgiveness by the victims he imposed five life sentences but immediately suspended those prison terms on condition the woman continue to obey all lawful instructions regarding medical and psychiatric treatment.
