Handwriting expert could not say when entry in childminding diary was altered

A garda handwriting expert has given evidence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in the trial of a childminder accused of assaulting a baby. Sandra Higgins, aged 34, of The Beeches, Drumgola Wood, Cavan town, County Cavan, has pleaded not guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to a ten-month-old child in her care on 28 March 2012. Detective Garda John Leonard examined a notebook used as a diary and handover book between Ms Higgins and the child's mother. He identified that a time entry of 12.50pm on the date in question had been altered, denoting the end of the child's morning sleep. However, Mr Leonard acknowledged under cross-examination that he could not determine when the original entry had been amended. The trial before Judge Patricia Ryan and a jury continues.