Choking most common cause of accidental death in babies, murder trial hears

A paediatrician has testified at the Central Criminal Court that choking represents the most frequent cause of accidental death in infants under one year old. Dr Hilary Stokes was cross-examined in the trial of John Tighe, aged 40, from Lavallyroe, Ballyhaunis, County Mayo, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his six-month-old son Joshua Sussbier Tighe on June 1st, 2013. The prosecution alleges tissue was placed in the child's throat. During examination-in-chief, Dr Stokes told the court she did not believe the infant could have formed, chewed or swallowed the tissue later recovered by a pathologist. Defence counsel drew agreement from the witness that accidental choking remained the leading cause of death in babies under twelve months. Justice Patrick McCarthy presided over proceedings, with the trial continuing before a jury of twelve.