Infant had brain haemorrhages, bruising, detached retinas and rib fractures, trial hears

A consultant paediatrician has told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that medical evidence points to serious non-accidental injury in a case involving a ten-month-old infant. Dr Christopher Hobbs, a UK expert in physical signs of child abuse, testified on the second day of the trial that hospital records documented brain haemorrhages, facial bruising, detached retinas and rib fractures in the child. Dr Hobbs stated the pattern of injuries, including the characteristic triad of brain bleeding, retinal haemorrhage and brain dysfunction, indicated non-accidental trauma. Sandra Higgins, aged 37, of Cavan, has pleaded not guilty to charges of intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to the infant at her home on 28 March 2012. The defence counsel put alternative explanations to the medical expert, including that the child had fallen whilst in the care of the baby's parents. The trial before Judge Pauline Codd and jury is scheduled to continue for three weeks.