Jury discharged in child minder's third trial

A jury has been discharged at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in the retrial of a Cavan childminder accused of causing serious harm to a baby. Sandra Higgins, aged 36, of Drumgola Wood, Cavan town, denies intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to a ten-month-old child at her home on 28 March 2012. The jury was empaneled on Monday morning for a trial scheduled to last two weeks, but a legal issue emerged that afternoon. Judge Cormac Quinn determined the trial could not proceed and discharged the jury on Tuesday morning. Ms Higgins was remanded on continuing bail. This marks the third trial in the case, with previous proceedings having attracted media attention. A new trial date has been set for 11 June. Evidence is expected from civilian and gardaí witnesses from County Cavan, with the defence potentially calling a paediatrician from Wales.