A man and woman who had been socialising with the father of a two-year-old girl, who died after a serious assault, and the woman accused of murdering the toddler gave evidence today on the fourth day of the trial.
Karen Harrington of Lakelands Crescent in Mahon denies the murder of Santina Cawley on the Boreenmanna Road on the 5th July 2019.
Harrington was in a relationship with Michael Cawley, the father of the deceased, at the time of the alleged offence.
"Eric Okunala was with the couple earlier that evening at the home of his partner, who lived in the same Elderwood complex as Harrington.
His partner, Martina Higgins, also gave evidence.
She said that she and Karen had had a little to drink and smoked a joint by the Atlantic Pond on the evening before Santina was found critically injured.
She told the jury that Michael Cawley had picked them up, and that at about 10pm, the adults and Santina, who also was in the car, went back to the Elderwood complex on the Boreenmanna Road.
She said that Santina was playing with balls in a play pool in the flat for a time and that the mood was "grand" but changed when Michael Cawley got a phone call from his cousin, who he wanted to invite.
She said neither Harrington nor she herself wanted this to happen, and Harrington and Michael Cawley started to argue.
She said that Michael Cawley called Harrington "a whore and a prostitute" before Harrington left.
Higgins said Michael Cawley left later, after 3am with Santina resting on a shoulder.
She said that shortly after 5am, Michael Cawley returned, saying 'Santina, my child my child. Karen killed my child. She is dead.'
The case before Mr Justice Michael McGrath continues next Tuesday and is expected to last another month. Up to 100 witnesses are due to be called.
Caoimhseach Connolly , RedFM News”
