Cora Desmond, now 21, from County Cork, Ireland, said Bridget Kenneally beat her with pokers, belts and spatulas from the age of six to 16 in a 10-year ‘torture’ ordeal
Bridget Kenneally (pictured) beat her step-daughter Cora Desmond in a 10-year ordeal
Bridget Kenneally, 49, from Duncoran, Youghal, County Cork, Ireland, told Cora Desmond she was like the abused Disney princess because she was ‘not wanted or loved’.
Ms Desmond, who was dubbed ‘Cora Ella’ by her step-mum, was forced to clean up after Kenneally and her children and treated like a ‘punching bag’, CorkBeo reports.
The part time cleaner has been jailed for two years after regularly beating Ms Desmond, now 21, with pokers, belts and spatulas, police said.
Kenneally pleaded guilty to one count of assault against Ms Desmond between October 1 and October 31 2009 and was sentenced on a background of abusing the victim over a 10-year period.
The victim told Judge Sean O’Donnabhain that when she was five her father, who had full custody of her, entered in to a relationship with Ms Kenneally.
Initially Kenneally seemed “nice and caring” but this honeymoon period didn’t last long.
However, she said: “About six months in to the 11-year relationship the horrific abuse began with a few slaps and punches but then gradually got worse. Throughout the years it became clear to me that I was nothing but a punching bag to Bridget.
“Her children could go hang out with friends of their choosing. My sister and myself were refused daily of the same freedom. Instead we were confined to her residence to clean up after her and her children.
“Bridget gave me the name Cora Ella and told me I was just like Cinderella because I was the one who was not wanted or loved.”
