Moranbah’s Bludgeoning Babysitter To Walk Free While Family Still Grieves

In a heart-wrenching development, Matthew Ireland, convicted of the tragic death of 18-month-old Hemi Les Goodwin-Burke, is poised to be released from prison on September 22, 2023, without any restrictions or oversight, leaving the victim's family devastated and outraged.

The harrowing ordeal began when Hemi's life support was tragically turned off by his father in March 2015, leading to the initial charges of murder and torture against Mr Ireland. The court heard that Mr Ireland was babysitting Hemi while his mother was in Brisbane undergoing medical treatment. The toddler's body was covered in 78 bruises from being beaten over a two-hour period, it was alleged in court. However, these charges were later downgraded to manslaughter in March 2017, echoing a concerning trend in child homicide cases across Queensland.

Despite the gravity of the crime, Ireland received a sentence of a mere 8 ½ years, with eligibility for parole after serving just four years. Although his 2019 parole plea was denied, he is now slated for release.

Hemi’s Nana, Lyn Burke, said while Mr Ireland is able to be set free, their family is still serving a life sentence.

“On 22nd September, Mr Ireland will be set free with no restrictions, no follow up, no nothing. As Hemi’s nanna I will be in the carpark at the Wacol prison where he will be collected from,” she said.

“I do not wish to cause a scene, I want him to know by only my presence that Hemi’s family is still watching and still living our life sentence.”

The day after Mr Ireland is due to be released, on September 23, Hemi would have celebrated his 10th birthday, a stark reminder of the stolen years and justice delayed.

This unsettling case of Hemi is not an isolated incident. Recent reports have unearthed alarming statistics about child murders in Queensland. In the past 12 years, 62 innocent children aged 0-17 have lost their lives—the highest fatality rate among Australian states.

The criminal justice system's response to these heinous crimes has raised significant concerns. Despite legislative amendments in 2019 intended to impose more stringent sentences for child killers, several perpetrators have received shockingly lenient prison terms. These include individuals responsible for the deaths of children like Lily Cataldo (7 weeks old, 8 years), Matthew Baxter (6 weeks old, 9 years), Kyhesha-Lee Joughin (3 years old, 9 years), Tyrell Cobb (4 years old, 9 years), Kye Randall (10 weeks old, 9 years), Paige Humphries (31 days old, 9 years), and Lennox Smith (4 months old, 9 years).

“All of these killers had their charges downgraded from murder to manslaughter, any other charges that were there initially seem to have vanished,” Ms Burke said.

“Mr Potts (Former president of the Queensland Law Society, Bill Potts) said there are ‘very real practical concerns’ about the provision of reckless indifference, and it was now demonstrating ‘the law itself is ineffective’.”

Such cases highlight the urgent need for a critical re-evaluation of the legal framework governing child homicide cases. Families left grappling with grief and despair, like Hemi's, demand answers as those responsible for their children's deaths walk free with minimal consequences.

‍

‍

Hemi Goodwin-Burke was killed in March 2015 by his babysitter Matthew Ireland. Photo supplied

‍