Courts / Dublin / Report

Level of damage "not possible" through fall, expert tells FGM trial

Date
2019-11-26

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

During the FGM trial, a medical expert, Dr Deborah Hodes, testified that the damage to the one‑year‑old girl could not have resulted from falling backwards onto a toy. She explained that the clitoris was missing its glans and body on examination DVDs, indicating tissue removal consistent with FGM. Dr Hodes argued that a fall would have caused broader injury and that the toy was not sharp. The accused couple, a 37‑year‑old man and a 27‑year‑old woman, pleaded not guilty to FGM and child cruelty. The man described the day's events, claiming he did not cut his daughter and that he was unaware of doctors' doubts. The trial, held at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, continues before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury. The couple's legal representatives remain present. The case remains at the trial stage.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Level of damage "not possible" through fall, expert tells FGM trial. Charges or matters: one count of child cruelty on the same day. Procedural stage: trial

When:

September 16, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
September 19, 2016 Other
December 6, 2016 Other
September 15, 2016 Other
2019-11-26 Publication

Why: She said this was relevant because if a child were to fall backwards onto a toy, she would expect quite a lot of the area to be injured and not just a specific area. CNI source report