March 2017 Charges downgraded from Torture, Grievous Bodily Harm and Murder

ALMOST two years after the death of an 18-month-old Moranbah boy, a Townsville man has pleaded guilty to his manslaughter. Toddler Hemi Burke died in Townsville Hospital in March, 2015 from injuries he'd suffered while being cared for by Matthew James Ireland, 31. The little boy's injuries included dozens of bruises to his body, brain damage and ruptured internal organs. Originally charged with torture and grievous bodily harm, Ireland's charges had been upgraded to murder. However, in the Supreme Court in Mackay on Tuesday, Ireland pleaded guilty to a downgraded charge of manslaughter, dated to March 26, 2015.