Courts / Dublin / Report
'Faith-based abuse' expert testifies at child cruelty trial
Summary
During a child cruelty trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, expert Dr. Shirley Potter, a consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeon, testified that the nine‑year‑old victim suffered burn marks and bruising that occurred within seven days of her July 2, 2019 hospitalisation. Potter examined the child on July 3, 2019, and again in July 2021, identifying 28 scars on her hands, arms, thighs, lower legs, ankles, feet and back, linking them to injuries sustained in 2019. The parents, a 39‑year‑old man and a 36‑year‑old woman of North African origin, pleaded not guilty to two assault‑causing‑serious‑harm charges and three child‑cruelty charges for incidents between June 28 and July 2, 2019. Dr. Lisa Oakley, a UK‑based professor and expert in faith‑based abuse, explained that beliefs in spirit possession can lead to violence, citing examples of beating, burning, cutting, semi‑strangulation and starving.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Faith-based abuse' expert testifies at child cruelty trial. Charges or matters: two charges of assault causing serious harm and three charges of child cruelty at the family home in Dublin on dates between June 28 and July 2, 2019. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- July 2, 2019 Incident
- July 3, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 28 Incident
- 2021-10-15 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: two charges of assault causing serious harm and three charges of child cruelty at the family home in Dublin on dates between June 28 and July 2, 2019 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
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