Ali Jayden Doyle: Toddler’s murder ‘devoid of humanity’, court told

The court heard that Dempsey’s children, including Ali Jayden, had been on the child protection register at the time of her death.

A protection order was also in place preventing Armstrong from being in contact with or near the children due to his criminal history.

He has 77 previous convictions including domestic violence offences.

Armstrong was also on probation for domestic violence offences.

Judge Mr Justice McAlinden said the pair had taken a “deliberate decision” to ignore the protection plan in place by social services.

He added that he wanted to send a message out to others in similar situations that “there will be consequences to those that breach them”.

A defence barrister for Armstrong said he was not in disagreement with the prosecution and that they accepted the defendant was responsible.

“At the centre of this case is a young child that suffered a catastrophic fracture which was the result of a high impact blow caused by the defendant”, the defence barrister said.

He also outlined how Armstrong came from a “remarkably dysfunctional” background, growing up in care and being exposed to domestic violence and guardians with drug and alcohol addictions.

The defence barrister said Armstrong’s drug use resulted in him “losing control” on the day that Ali Jayden was murdered.

After submissions were made by the prosecution and defence, Mr Justice McAlinden said he needed time to reflect on what he heard and would sentence Dempsey and set a minimum tariff for Dempsey at a later date.