Barbie Kardashian freed from Limerick Prison under strict conditions

Convicted prisoner warned by judge as State services urged to monitor movements

David Raleigh

Convicted transgender prisoner “Barbie Kardashian”, who, a court heard, posed a “significant threat” to the general public, has been released from Limerick Prison where she had been serving a sentence for making threats to torture, rape, and kill her mother.

Kardashian, mid 20s, is to be subject to a two-year post supervision release order previously imposed at Limerick Circuit Court.

Kardashian, who was born a male named “Gabriel Alejandro Gentile”, but who changed name by deed poll and now identifies as female, served two years and six months of a five and a half year sentence of which the final twelve months were suspended.

A detective garda told Kardashian’s four-day trial in March 2023, that gardai had “grave concerns” about the defendant’s “motivation to carry out the threats” against her mother.

Speaking outside prison today, Kardashian was unrepentant about the threats but insisted she was not a danger to the public. She added she hoped to undergo gender-affirming surgery.

The trial heard Kardashian has multiple personality disorders and has previously alleged she suffered sexual and physical abuse as a child. She was placed in State care aged 12 under a High Court Special Care Order.

She was convicted of seven counts of making threats against her mother while living at Coovagh House, a secure residential care facility in Limerick for high-risk youths, in 2020.

Judge Tom O’Donnell, now retired, described it as “one of the most complex cases” of his career. He noted Kardashian was “unrepentant” about wanting to torture, rape and kill her mother, detailing plans involving boiling water and a screwdriver.

A probation report cited “major concerns” that she was unremorseful and posed a high risk of serious reoffending. Five psychiatrists assessed her, all warning of a “real danger” she could act on her violent fantasies.

Kardashian has 15 previous convictions, all for violent offences, including sexual assault at the age of 13. Judge O’Donnell said she displayed “narcissistic tendencies” and a “high level of venom” towards her mother, while showing a “complete lack of remorse”.

As part of her release conditions, Kardashian has agreed to live at an address approved by gardaí and probation services, notify them of any changes, and disclose new relationships. Any breach could see her returned to prison under a Section 99 order. The judge also warned the defendant that attempts to communicate with their mother and father could trigger the section 99 order.

Judge O’Donnell warned that State agencies must heed the “stark warnings” in the probation reports, noting Kardashian’s vulnerable background but also his “grave concerns” about her release.

More in this section