The Central Criminal Court has heard graphic details of attempts to murder four children. A man has pleaded guilty to attempted murder and will be sentenced later this month.
The court was told the children will suffer the effects of the attacks for years to come.
In a victim impact statement, their mother said their lives were turned upside down by the attacks and she will never forget the voicemail from her young child screaming at her to come home and a subsequent Snapchat message to say a younger child was "nearly dead".
She said she knew in her gut that something had happened. She outlined the effect on each of her children and said they were "the bravest children you will ever meet".
She said the children had to leave their home and friends and school, and waited months to get a new home.
She added: "I am so glad he has pleaded guilty... I am ready to move on and stop looking over my shoulder, living in fear, checking the door is locked and worrying that he could do it all over again.
"I have to remember I have four beautiful children and other families were not as lucky as me."
The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the children, has pleaded guilty to attempted murder and will be sentenced later this month.
Warning: This report contains details some readers may find distressing
The Central Criminal Court heard details of the man's attempts to strangle the four children.
He believed he had killed the two younger children before moving on to try to strangle the older two who managed to resist his efforts.
The older children pleaded with him to stop and told him they could get help for him.
Afterwards he fled the house and told a relative:"I've done something stupid."
Emergency services were called to the house and one of the children was found unconscious. The others had injuries and were gasping for air. All were taken to hospital.
The man told gardaí he had been diagnosed with depression and social anxiety and in the days leading up to the event he had reduced his medication.
The court was told the children were interviewed by specialists and would need support for many years to deal with the effect of the attack on them.
Defence counsel Patrick Gageby read an apology in which the man said he knew that anything he said or did would not change what he had done.
It continued: "I want you to know how much I regret it and how sorry I am."
Mr Gageby said these were very serious offences committed on small children.
He said the background to this was mental health issues and reducing medication.
"None of these things are excuses but they all came together and he acted as he did but rapidly admitted what he had done and admitted what his thinking was and that that thinking was frankly wrong."
Mr Gageby said there was ample evidence of remorse and he also handed him a large number of written testimonials from people.
Mr Justice Michael White will sentence him on 17 October.
