A 38-year-old woman has pleased not guilty for the murder of a two-year old girl in the trial in Cork today.
Santina Cawley was found with serious injuries on the Boreenamanna Road almost three years ago.
"38-year-old Karen Harrington with an address at Lakelands Crescent in Mahon denies murdering two-year old Santina Cawley.
Santina was found with serious injuries at Harrington's duplex apartment in Elderwood Park on the Boreenamanna Road shortly after 5am on July 5th, 2019.
She was rushed to Cork University Hospital by ambulance.
Outlining the state's case, prosecution counsel, Sean Gillane said that Harrington was in a relationship with Santina's father, Michael Cawley, who had care of the young girl at the time.
A neighbour called Gardaí at around 4:3am when he heard a screaming child in the apartment. When the Gardaí arrived, there was no answer and no sign of disturbance so they left.
When the child's father returned around 40 minutes later, the alarm was raised.
Prosecution counsel, Sean Gillane told the jury that doctors worked on the toddler for several hours without success and she was pronounced dead at 20 past 9 that morning.
Today, at a sitting of the Central Criminal Court, Karen Harrington replied 'Not guilty' when she was arraigned on the charge that she murdered the two-year old.
Mr Justice Michael McGrath told the jury of seven men and five women that the trial is expected to last between three and five weeks.
Caoimhseach Connolly , RedFM News"
