Child minder goes on trial accused of causing serious harm to infant

A childminder has gone on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court charged with intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to a ten-month-old infant in her care in Cavan. Sandra Higgins, aged 36, of The Beeches, Drumgola Wood, Cavan town, has pleaded not guilty to the charge relating to an incident on 28 March 2012. The court heard that the child was presented to Cavan General Hospital with seizures and extensive bruising to her face and head. A consultant paediatrician described the injuries as consistent with shaken baby syndrome and stated it was his conclusive view they occurred on the day of hospitalisation. The defence contends that precise dating of injuries is not certain and disputes allegations that entries in a childminding diary were altered. The child's mother gave evidence of her growing concerns following earlier incidents involving bruising. The trial continues before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury.