Sandra Higgins pleads not guilty to serious harm charge

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

Sandra Higgins has pleaded not guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to a ten-month-old baby. The charge concerns an alleged incident at her home in Cavan town on 28 March 2012.

The proceedings were reported on 16 June 2015. Her trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was expected to last up to six days.

Prosecuting counsel Sean Gillane told the jury the baby suffered life-threatening injuries allegedly caused by violent shaking. He said experts had concluded that the injuries were inflicted and non-accidental. The prosecution alleged Ms Higgins caused them while the baby was in her care.

The report described extensive bruising to the baby's head and face, underlying swelling and injuries to her back and buttocks. A CT scan showed a brain haemorrhage, and the baby suffered seizures in the days following. Historical rib fractures were also detected on X-ray.

The jury was told Ms Higgins had denied wrongdoing after her arrest. Defence experts were expected to say it was not possible to determine whether the injuries were inflicted or accidental, and that there was no evidence supporting a diagnosis of shaking.

The report said the parents had become concerned about bumps and bruises in early March 2012. Ms Higgins explained these as resulting from falls. The mother said she decided to find alternative childcare and informed Ms Higgins on 26 March 2012 that family would care for the baby from the end of that week.