Sadie Douglas faces wilful neglect trial over daughter’s death

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

Sadie Douglas’s wilful neglect trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court had reached closing speeches when the proceedings were reported on 21 June 2022.

Douglas pleaded not guilty to wilful neglect of her daughter, Heidi Douglas, leading to her death, on dates between 13 and 14 April 2016. The prosecution said Heidi died after ingesting methadone at home while Douglas had care of her.

Defence counsel Conor Devally SC told the jury that the post-mortem examination found Heidi was healthy and well nourished, with good dental hygiene. He said the prosecution did not allege a pattern of ongoing behaviour and urged the jury to acquit Douglas.

Judge Orla Crowe charged the jury, and deliberations were expected to begin on Wednesday.