MICHAEL CONROY OF COATBRIDGE SENTENCED FOR CHILD NEGLECT IN HORRIFIC CASE INVOLVING 18-MONTH-OLD GIRL

In September 2021, a tragic case unfolded in Coatbridge involving the death of a young girl named Kiera Conroy, who was only 19 months old at the time of her passing. The incident drew significant attention as it highlighted severe neglect and the heartbreaking consequences of parental irresponsibility.

According to court proceedings, Kiera was discovered lifeless in her cot at approximately 3 pm on a day when her parents, Michael Conroy, aged 27, and Kirsty Boyle, aged 24, were preparing to leave the house. The young girl had been left alone in her bed, having spent most of the previous day in a state of neglect. Her parents had gone to bed at around 6:30 am after staying awake all night, engaging in playing games on their mobile phones and watching television. This prolonged period of sleep and inattentiveness resulted in Kiera being unattended for an extended duration.

Michael Conroy admitted to the court that he had neglected his daughter, pleading guilty to a charge of wilfully causing or procuring her to be ill-treated, neglected, and exposed in a manner likely to cause her unnecessary suffering or injury to her health. The court heard that in the three days leading up to her death, Conroy failed to provide Kiera with adequate nourishment and fluids, left her unattended for excessive periods, and did not maintain suitable living conditions. Additionally, he admitted to allowing her to be exposed to street Valium pills, which were found in her travel cot, raising concerns about her safety and well-being.

It was Miss Boyle who discovered Kiera’s lifeless body around 5 pm while she and Conroy were preparing to visit her father’s residence. Miss Boyle recounted to police that she and Conroy had been awake until 6:30 am that morning, describing their night as an “all-nighter,” a habit they admitted to having. She explained that they fell asleep on the sofa and did not wake until mid-afternoon, during which time she did not hear Kiera and assumed she was still asleep.

Conroy claimed to have given Kiera milk when she woke during the night and early morning hours, but police found no evidence of food or formula milk at the flat. When Miss Boyle found her daughter, Kiera was described as “very white,” with sick around her mouth. She immediately called emergency services, and paramedics arrived to find Conroy performing CPR. Despite their efforts, Kiera could not be saved and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The court proceedings included a sentencing hearing, during which Sheriff Fergus Thomson deferred sentencing until November to allow for a criminal justice social work report and an electronic tagging assessment. Conroy was released on bail pending the final sentencing.

In a subsequent sentencing statement, Sheriff Thomson sentenced Michael Conroy to 62 weeks in prison after he pled guilty to child neglect. The sheriff emphasized the gravity of the offense, noting that Conroy’s culpability and the harm caused were significant factors in the decision. The court also considered Conroy’s previous criminal record, which included a charge of assault in 2017, and his history of breaching community payback orders.

During the sentencing, Sheriff Thomson highlighted that although Kiera’s death occurred in December 2017 at the age of 18 months, the cause of death was unascertained. The court reviewed detailed narratives about the neglect and ill-treatment to which Conroy had pleaded guilty, including the lack of nourishment, fluids, and exposure to dangerous substances like Diclazepam.

In his final remarks, Sheriff Thomson expressed regret that no alternative to custody was appropriate, concluding that a sentence of 18 months’ imprisonment was fair, which was subsequently reduced to 62 weeks due to Conroy’s guilty plea. The court also noted that no further orders under section 48 of the 1995 Act would be made, given the extent of social work involvement in the case.

This case underscores the tragic consequences of neglect and the importance of parental responsibility in safeguarding the lives of vulnerable children in Coatbridge and beyond.