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Briege Meehan gets suspended sentence for child cruelty Briege Meehan gets suspended sentence for child cruelty
(about 2 hours later)
A former Sinn Féin councillor who admitted abusing her stepdaughter 34 years ago has been given a suspended prison sentence for child cruelty and assault.A former Sinn Féin councillor who admitted abusing her stepdaughter 34 years ago has been given a suspended prison sentence for child cruelty and assault.
Meehan, 66, from Elmfield Street in Belfast, was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years. Briege Meehan, from Elmfield Street in Belfast, was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years.
The victim was her step-daughter Mary Meehan The victim was her step-daughter Mary Meehan.
In court in June, Briege Meehan pleaded guilty to a charge of child cruelty and two of assault. In court in June, Briege Meehan, 66, pleaded guilty to a charge of child cruelty and two of assault.
Seven charges of sexual abuse remain on the books but were not proceeded with.Seven charges of sexual abuse remain on the books but were not proceeded with.
She denies other allegations of neglect and abuse that were not put before the court.She denies other allegations of neglect and abuse that were not put before the court.
The offences allegedly occurred between July 1979 and October 1980 at a time when she was the girlfriend of Martin Meehan, while he was on remand in prison on IRA kidnapping charges.The offences allegedly occurred between July 1979 and October 1980 at a time when she was the girlfriend of Martin Meehan, while he was on remand in prison on IRA kidnapping charges.