Courts / Cavan / Report
Childminder goes on trial accused of causing serious harm to baby
Summary
A retrial opened at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 12 June 2018 concerning a Cavan childminder accused of causing serious harm to a ten-month-old infant. Sandra Higgins, aged 37 of Drumgola Wood, Cavan, has pleaded not guilty to intentionally or recklessly inflicting serious harm on the child at her home on 28 March 2012. The prosecution outlined that the baby was admitted to hospital with seizures and displaying significant injuries including head and facial bruising, brain bleeding, and detached retinas in both eyes. The State alleges these injuries were inflicted by Ms Higgins and posed substantial risk of death or bodily impairment. The defence accepted the severity of injuries but disputed causation. The court heard the baby had been in Ms Higgins's care full-time since November 2011, and that parents reported concerns about bumps and bruises approximately one month before the incident. The trial was scheduled to run for three weeks, with the jury instructed to base verdicts solely on courtroom evidence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Childminder goes on trial accused of causing serious harm to baby. Charges or matters: intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to the baby at the accused's home on March 28, 2012. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- March 28, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 2011 Other
- March 2012 Other
- 2018-06-12 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to the baby at the accused's home on March 28, 2012 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Cavan General Hospital
Topics
Related court reports
- Court refuses to reduce sentence for brothel keeper caught with child abuse material
- 'Wouldn't be out of place in a Tarantino movie': Lunney kidnappers challenge sentences for 'animalistic' torture and abduction
- 'A shocking, shocking tragedy': man must first serve six-year term for trying to murder father before starting life sentence for murdering mother, judge rules
- 'We never expected him to be grateful. But we never expected murder': man apologies to family for murdering mother and trying to murder father
- No jail for passenger who sexually assaulted Ryanair cabin crew member
- Former accountant went on 'nationwide tour' with bank card stolen from hospital patient
Help us improve this report
Your request is saved for the newsroom's next review. It does not immediately change the published report.
Prefer email? Send a correction request.