Baby was “bright and bubbly” on day of alleged assault, childminder trial hears

A childminder charged with causing serious harm to a baby in her care appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Tuesday. Sandra Higgins, aged 34, from Drumgola Wood in Cavan town, has pleaded not guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to the infant at her home on 28 March 2012. The child's uncle gave evidence that the baby was "bright and bubbly" on the morning of the alleged assault but became seriously ill later that day and was hospitalised. He described a pattern of injuries sustained while in the defendant's care in the weeks preceding the incident. A social worker told the court she received notification of concerns that the baby's injuries might be non-accidental and met with the parents, who co-operated fully and requested gardaí involvement. The trial is expected to run for six days before Judge Patricia Ryan and a jury. A court order protects the child's identity.