The mother of tragic toddler Ali-Jayden Doyle has been granted High Court bail but cannot be released until an approved address is found, the location of which will be kept secret.


Jade Dempsey (24) formerly with an address in County Tyrone is charged with causing the child’s death and perverting the court of justice by providing misleading information to police.
Her partner Darren John Armstrong (32) of Park Avenue, but also with an address at Ardbeg Drive, both in Dungannon, is charged with murdering Ali on August 6 and perverting the course of justice by providing misleading information.
Paramedics found the two-year-old unresponsive at the Park Avenue address and high on the coma scale.
While she was being rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital concerned paramedics contacted police and Social Services.
Shortly after arriving at hospital, the child passed away from head trauma.
It emerged both children were on the Child Protection Register since April, due to Dempsey’s relationship with Armstrong, who was not permitted any form of contact.
A post mortem revealed the head injury was: “More likely non-accidental. The injuries are so extensive the pathologist could not say how many times the head had been impacted and had never seen this level of accidental injury in a child or adult.”
During police interview Dempsey changed her accounts and later she accepted lying as she knew leaving the children with Armstrong contravened Social Services warnings. She claimed to be afraid her other child would be removed, which subsequently occurred.
Bail was initially refused but after a number of adjournments has now been granted by the High Court, despite police objections.
A Prosecution barrister highlighted specific concerns around Dempsey’s safety due a social media backlash, with police fearful of trouble if she returned to her County Tyrone address.
Madam Justice Keegan described the case as: “Obviously tragic and difficult on lots of different levels.”
A defence barrister advised exhaustive efforts for a suitable address have been unsuccessful, pointing out Dempsey has been in custody over two weeks and is anxious for contact with her baby.
It was conceded this child is in care and the relevant Health and Social Care Trust have confirmed contact could be facilitated if Dempsey is released.
The defence explained: “It seems the thrust of police objections to her own address is potential risk due to the vitriol this case has raised on social media. People are making assumptions, then making lurid and wild threats which are most likely baseless.”
Referring to a recent conversation with Dempsey, the defence said: “She is very confident of the support of her neighbours and is aware they held a balloon release ceremony where there were prayers not just for Ali Jayden, but also Ms Dempsey. She is confident they know her to be a good mother and will support her.”
The prosecution however stressed police believe Dempsey’s address to be: “Very unsafe and risk could not be managed.”
She continued: “This could be complicated further due to ongoing investigations into pre-existing injuries found on the baby boy, which she will be questioned about. The public will undoubtedly discover same.”
However after a further adjournment the defence informed the court Dempsey has decided not to seek to return to her current home and is relinquishing the tenancy.
This will lead to her being declared homeless and attempts will continue to find an appropriate address for release.
On this basis, Justice Keegan decided bail could be granted with strict terms.
It was also agreed Dempsey could be temporarily released from custody to attend her child’s funeral, in the event accommodation has not been found in time. Any address to which Dempsey is bailed will be bound by a reporting restriction.
She and Armstrong are due to appear before Dungannon Magistrates Court by video-link for an update on the case later this month.