Courts / Dublin / Report
Couple's conviction for FGM declared a miscarriage of justice
Summary
A couple's convictions for female genital mutilation (FGM) of their one-year-old daughter were declared a miscarriage of justice by the Court of Appeal. The couple, who were the first in Ireland to be convicted of FGM, spent two years in prison before their convictions were overturned due to an unfair trial. New evidence from a Swedish FGM expert, Prof Birgitta Essen, showed that the child had not undergone FGM. The Court of Appeal found that the trial was unfair due to inaccuracies in the translation of the parents' testimony. The DPP dropped the charges after the new report agreed with Prof Essen's findings. The judge ruled that the couple was factually innocent and granted a certificate of miscarriage of justice. The case highlighted the importance of expert medical testimony and the need for accurate translation in legal proceedings. The couple's conviction was overturned, and the court emphasized the need for medical professionals to report concerns without fear.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Couple's conviction for FGM declared a miscarriage of justice. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- November 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 16, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2026-06-19 Publication
Why: The now 43-year-old man and 34-year-old woman spent two years in prison before their convictions were overturned by the Court of Appeal in November 2021, after it found the trial had been "unfair" because of "serious and far-reaching inaccuracies" in how the mother and father's testimony was translated to the jury. CNI source report
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Dublin
- Dublin hospital
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request