Courts / Dublin / Report
Married couple are first to be convicted of female genital mutilation
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, a 37‑year‑old man and a 27‑year‑old woman were convicted of carrying out female genital mutilation (FGM) on their one‑year‑old daughter on 16 September 2016. Both pleaded not guilty to one count of FGM and one count of child cruelty. The jury found them guilty on all counts after nearly three hours of deliberation. Evidence included a forensic analysis that found no blood on a toy claimed to have caused the injury, and a medical expert who stated the child's clitoris had been completely removed, inconsistent with an accidental fall. The couple, originally from an African nation, had arrived in Ireland in 2008; the woman is a naturalised citizen, while the man faces a pending deportation order. Both were remanded in custody following the conviction. The case was noted as the first conviction under the FGM statute in Ireland.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Married couple are first to be convicted of female genital mutilation. Charges or matters: one count of child cruelty on the same day. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- September 16, 2016 Incident
- January 27 Adjournment
- 2019-12-20 Publication
Why: She confirmed that because of the nature of the type of FGM in this case, there will in the future be no physical effect on the victim's urinary system, no obstruction to her vagina, no menstrual problems and there will be no effect on her ability to have sexual intercourse in the future. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: one count of child cruelty on the same day (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; He asked the court to temper its public obligations with the requirement to visit a proportionate sentence on his client.; They have been remanded in custody since the date of their conviction by a jury.
Places mentioned
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