Courts / Cork / Report
Child killer Harrington launches bid to overturn conviction for murder of Santina Cawley
Summary
Child-killer Karen Harrington, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of two-year-old Santina Cawley, has launched an appeal to overturn her conviction, arguing that CCTV footage of her home breached her privacy rights. The appeal was heard at the Court of Appeal in Cork, where Jane Hyland SC for the appellant claimed that the footage from Clanrickarde Estate, which captured both the exterior and interior of Harrington's dwelling, was highly prejudicial and should not have been admitted into evidence. Ms Hyland argued that the footage violated Harrington's right to privacy under the Irish Constitution, EU law, and the European Convention on Human Rights. She also referenced the Data Protection Act 2018 and the case of Graham Dwyer, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of Elaine O'Hara, to support her argument. Sean Gillane SC for the State countered that the issue of CCTV had been addressed during the trial, with the footage being truncated and examined by the jury. The court reserved its judgment in the matter. The appeal is currently under consideration, and no finalised decision has been made.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Child killer Harrington launches bid to overturn conviction for murder of Santina Cawley. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- July 5, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2024-03-11 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Outcome: Child-killer Karen Harrington, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of two-year-old Santina Cawley, has launched a bid to overturn her conviction, arguing that CCTV footage that captured the inside of her home amounted to a breach of her privacy rights. In May 2022, Harrington was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Santina by Mr Justice MacGrath.
Background Person
Background Person
Places mentioned
- Elderwood Park
- Boreenmanna Road
- Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- High Court
- Supreme Court
- Limerick
- Clanrickarde Estate
Topics
Related court reports
- ESB worker too late to pursue claim seeking €42k in alleged unpaid overtime
- Seamstress treated 'shabbily' after 17 years at Cork shop wins €76k
- Pub ordered to pay €10k for 'humiliating' remark about barman by company boss
- Former accountant went on 'nationwide tour' with bank card stolen from hospital patient
- Car salesman sacked over 'around the corner deal' wins €10k
- Salesman who alleged 'corruption' and 'crazy' discount in Saudi deal loses penalisation case
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request