DEREK HICKEY'S HORRIFIC CRIME IN CO KILDARE: BABY MURDER AND KNIFE ATTACK SHOCKS NATION

In a case that has left the community of Co Kildare reeling, Derek Hickey, a man from Penrose House, Newbridge, has been at the center of a tragic and brutal series of events that culminated in the murder of his own infant daughter and a violent assault on his then-girlfriend, Sinead Smullen. The horrifying incident took place nearly nine years ago, in April 2000, and continues to evoke strong emotions and calls for justice.

On that fateful day, three-month-old Leilah Sophie Hickey was subjected to a frenzied and unexplained attack that resulted in her being stabbed a total of fourteen times while she lay peacefully in her cot. The discovery of her lifeless body was made after her mother, Sinead Smullen, was found injured and lying on Main Street in Newbridge, prompting immediate police intervention. The tragic death of the infant shocked the local community and drew widespread media attention.

Hickey, who was 34 at the time, was subsequently arrested and charged with her murder. During police investigations, he admitted to attacking Leilah, and he was later sentenced in 2001 to life imprisonment for her murder. The court also heard that Hickey had previously assaulted Sinead Smullen in a separate incident, for which he received a four-year sentence. The assault on Smullen occurred during the same period, after a heated argument at their home in Newbridge, which escalated to violence.

According to court records, Hickey and Smullen had been out shopping in Dublin earlier that day before returning to their residence in Newbridge to pick up their baby daughter from Smullen’s parents’ house. After spending some time at home, the couple watched television before going to bed. An argument erupted, during which Smullen decided to leave and go to her parents’ house. Hickey, however, did not let her leave peacefully. He retrieved a large black-handled knife from the kitchen and began stabbing Smullen in the neck and chest. The attack was so severe that Smullen managed to escape the flat, screaming and leaving with Hickey and their baby.

Sergeant Kevin Lavelle, who was involved in the Garda investigation, confirmed that the baby was stabbed six times and died instantly at the scene. The court was told that Hickey, in his statements to police, admitted to the violence, describing how he and Smullen had been arguing repeatedly that night. He claimed Smullen had threatened to take the baby to her parents’ house, which he protested against, leading to the violent outburst. Hickey recounted that he stabbed Smullen once in the back, then in the chest, after which she ran out of the flat screaming. He also admitted to stabbing his daughter, though he was unsure of the exact location, suggesting near the heart.

Following his arrest, Hickey was remanded in custody and later pleaded guilty to the murder of Leilah and the assault on Smullen. His statements revealed a night filled with conflict and violence, culminating in the tragic loss of a young life and severe injuries to the mother. Smullen, who survived the attack, has spoken publicly about her ongoing trauma, revealing that she still suffers physical and emotional scars. She described how she still wakes up in cold sweats, vividly recalling the moment Hickey plunged the knife into her neck. She also shared that she narrowly escaped death, missing her jugular vein by just one millimeter, and continues to experience nerve damage in her arm.

Despite moving forward with her life, Smullen expressed that she can never forget the pain inflicted upon her and her family. She recounted the innocence of her daughter, Leilah, and the milestones she missed—her first word, her first tooth, her first steps, and her first day at school. She lamented that Leilah’s first Communion, which would have been last year, was forever lost to tragedy. The community and legal authorities are now watching closely as Hickey approaches a potential parole hearing, which is scheduled for this year. Given the severity of his crimes, many believe that his chances of early release are slim, and public opinion strongly favors keeping him incarcerated for the remainder of his life.

In the background of these events, it was revealed that Hickey had a history of violence, with previous convictions for assault and public order offenses. The court, in sentencing him to a four-year concurrent sentence for the assault on Smullen, acknowledged the constraints of the law, which limits such sentences to a maximum of five years for certain offenses. The judge, Mr. Justice Paul Carney, emphasized the gravity of Hickey’s actions and the need for justice, especially considering his guilty plea and the tragic loss of life involved. The case remains a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the importance of vigilant legal and social intervention to prevent such tragedies in the future.