Girl’s parents plead not guilty to FGM charges at trial

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

The girl’s parents pleaded not guilty to female genital mutilation and child cruelty charges at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The alleged offences concerned their daughter at their Dublin home on 16 September 2016.

The proceedings were reported on 26 November 2019. Dr Deborah Hodes told the court that the girl’s injuries were consistent with FGM and could not have been caused by falling backwards onto a toy. The parents said their daughter was injured in a fall onto a toy.

The father told the court that he respected the doctors’ opinions but disagreed with them. He said his daughter had been scared by a ball he squeezed, walked backwards and fell onto the toy; his back was turned when she fell. He denied cutting her or allowing anyone else to do so.

The trial was continuing before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury.