Father put wad of tissue down infant's throat, prosecution allege at murder trial

At the Central Criminal Court, a murder trial commenced involving John Tighe, aged 40, from Lavallyroe, Ballyhaunis, County Mayo. Mr Tighe has pleaded not guilty to the charge of murdering his son, Joshua Sussbier Tighe, who died on June 1, 2013, at the family home. The prosecution alleges the infant, then six and a half months old, died from asphyxiation after tissue was placed in his throat. The defence contends the death was accidental, with Mr Tighe claiming the child grabbed and swallowed tissue whilst he was in the bathroom. Prosecution counsel told the jury that a baby of Joshua's age would be incapable of forming or swallowing such a bolus, suggesting Mr Tighe was the only person who could be responsible. A post-mortem examination identified two pieces of tissue in the throat, including an egg-shaped wad measuring five centimetres by three and a half centimetres. Expert evidence regarding the infant's developmental capabilities is expected during the trial, which continues before Justice Patrick McCarthy.