Dublin couple deny female genital mutilation and child cruelty charges

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

A Dublin couple pleaded not guilty to one count of carrying out an act of female genital mutilation on their daughter and one count of child cruelty. The proceedings were reported on 20 November 2019.

The alleged offences relate to 16 September 2016. The couple cannot be named for legal reasons.

Prosecuting counsel Shane Costelloe SC said the State was not arguing that the couple carried out the procedure themselves. He said its case was that they intended to aid, abet, counsel or procure it.

The couple brought their daughter to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, on 16 September 2016 and sought immediate help because she was bleeding. They claimed she had fallen on a toy while not wearing a nappy.

Costelloe told the court that paediatric surgeon Professor Thambipillai Sri Paran, who operated to stop the bleeding, considered the injury non-accidental. Paran told the court that the child’s clitoral head was absent and that the father’s account did not match the injury he saw.

Dr Sinéad Harty, a paediatrician, said the injury was not consistent with a fall on a toy because there was no bruising or abrasions. She agreed with the defence that both parents denied involvement in any female genital mutilation of their child.

Both doctors confirmed to the defence that the girl and her siblings appeared well cared for and had a loving relationship with their parents. The trial was continuing before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury.