Murdered Dungannon toddler’s mum admits child cruelty charge

THE mother of a Dungannon toddler murdered by her ‘on/off partner’ nearly three years ago has pleaded guilty to a child cruelty charge.

Two-year-old Ali Jayden Doyle died from head injuries sustained at a house in the Park Avenue area of Dungannon on August 2021.

Her mother, Jade Dempsey (27), whose address is the subject of a reporting restriction, had initially pleaded not guilty to charges of causing the death of a child by an unlawful act as well as cruelty to a person under the age of 16.

However, when she appeared again at Laganside Crown Court in Belfast on Friday morning, she was re-arraigned and entered a guilty plea to the child cruelty charge.

After she pleaded guilty to this charge, the charge of causing the death of a child was ‘left on the books’ and will not be proceeded with.

On Tuesday of this week, Dempsey’s ‘on/off partner’ Darryn John Armstrong, whose address was given as HMP Maghaberry, pleaded guilty to the Dungannon toddler’s murder.

In court on Friday, Dempsey was described as being a ‘vulnerable’ young woman with complex mental health issues.

Pre-sentence reports have been ordered for both defendants. They are due to appear in court for sentencing on June 28.