Ali Jayden Doyle: Man pleads guilty to toddler death

Ali Jayden Doyle died on 6 August 2021.

At the time of the her death, Armstrong had been in an on-off relationship with her mother, Jade Dempsey.

Both Armstrong and Ms Dempsey appeared in court in September 2023, where they both denied involvement in her death.

Addressing Armstrong in court, Mr Justice O’Hara outline how Armstrong had initially blamed the toddler’s one-year old brother for causing the fatal wound by throwing a toy at her.

“More recently you admitted that you yourself had thrown her so that she hit her head on the fireplace and claimed that when you did so you had lost your temper under the influence of drugs – yet you still denied murder.

“You were not supposed to have any contact at all with Ali or her brother because social services knew you were such a risk to them both. Social services were absolutely right.”

He continued: “At a later hearing, I will hear submissions about the minimum period you must serve in prison before the Parole Commissioners decide when you can be released.

“You can expect a long minimum sentence for what you did to a defenceless two-year-old who should never have been left in your care.”

Armstrong’s defence barrister confirmed he will be seeking reports ahead of sentencing and told the judge “the court might be assisted by a psychiatric report”.

He said there have been “difficulties” arranging consultations in Maghaberry due to Armstrong’s “safety status” within the prison.

The barrister also revealed that earlier this month he was “the victim of a vicious beating in which he sustained facial injuries.”