Sandra Higgins pleads not guilty to causing serious harm

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

Sandra Higgins pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to a baby at her home in Cavan on 28 March 2012.

The proceedings were reported on 27 April 2017. The trial heard that the 10-month-old girl had symptoms of abusive head trauma.

Paediatric consultant Prof Alf Nicholson told the court that the baby had bleeding behind both eyes and along the surface of her brain, two rib fractures and facial bruising. She also had seizures and weakness on one side. He described the brain and eye bleeding and rib fractures as “classic” and “very typical” of abusive head trauma.

Prof Michael O’Keefe said the baby also had retinal detachment. The report said that by June 2012 the bleeding had gone away, the detachment had resolved and she was using both eyes well.

The trial was continuing before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury. The report said the prosecution’s final witness was expected to give evidence on Friday.