Ireland Court of Appeal dismisses Karen Harrington's appeal against conviction for murder of Santina Cauley
On 5 July 2019, Santina Cawley (also spelled Cauley), aged two in one report and three in another, was killed at the Elderwood Park, Boreenmanna Road, Cork apartment of Karen Harrington, aged 40. Harrington denied the murder, and in May 2022 a jury at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork returned a unanimous guilty verdict before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath, and she was given a life sentence. On 6 June 2024 the Court of Appeal, with Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy returning the judgment, dismissed Harrington's appeal against her conviction, rejecting her argument that CCTV use by gardaí breached her privacy. The latest development is that Harrington remains serving her life sentence.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court8 Jun
- Convicted6 Jun
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Karen Harrington was convicted of the murder of Santina Cawley, also spelled Cauley.
- Santina suffered a total of 53 separate injuries.
- Santina's father had left her in Harrington's care while he went into Cork City in the early hours of 5 July 2019 to look for his cousin.
- Other details
- Sources give the victim's age as two in one report and three in another.
- Harrington was held in a 23-hour lockup regime in Limerick Prison.
- Where
- The murder took place at Harrington's apartment at Elderwood Park, Boreenmanna Road, Cork.
- When
- The murder took place on 5 July 2019.
- Investigation
- CCTV footage was used by gardaí in the investigation and was admitted as evidence at trial.
- In court
- Harrington denied the murder, and her trial was held in 2022.
- In May 2022 a jury of seven men and four women returned a unanimous guilty verdict before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork.
- On 6 June 2024 the Court of Appeal dismissed Harrington's appeal against her conviction, with Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy returning the judgment.
- The Court of Appeal dismissed the argument that CCTV footage used by gardaí breached Harrington's privacy, stating that an individual has no expectation of privacy while moving through public spaces.
- The court said that even if the objection had been made at trial, Harrington would not have succeeded in excluding the evidence.
- Sentence
- Harrington was sentenced to life imprisonment.
18 statements extracted from the articles
- whatSantina suffered a total of 53 separate injuries. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe Court of Appeal dismissed Karen Harrington's appeal against her conviction for murder. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe murder occurred at Harrington's apartment at Elderwood Park, Boreenmanna Road, Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe killing took place in Cork. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereSantina was at Harrington's apartment at Elderwood Park, Boreenmanna Road, Cork. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe murder took place on 5 July 2019. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe Court of Appeal ruling was delivered on a Thursday. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe killing took place on 5 July 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeSantina suffered 53 separate injuries. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationCCTV footage was used in the investigation and was admitted as evidence at trial. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal dismissed Harrington's appeal on 6 June 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs Justice Isobel Kennedy returned the judgment of the Court of Appeal. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe court stated an individual does not have an expectation of privacy while moving through public spaces. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA jury of seven men and four women returned a unanimous guilty verdict in May 2022 before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe court said even if the objection had been made at trial, the appellant would not have succeeded in excluding the evidence. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal dismissed the argument that Harrington's privacy was breached by CCTV footage used by gardaí. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHarrington's trial was held in 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHarrington was held in a 23-hour lockup regime in Limerick Prison. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 8 Jun2024Dad of murdered Santina Cauley says she can rest in peace as killer lost appeal
Reports the Court of Appeal's Thursday ruling dismissing Harrington's appeal, the CCTV privacy argument it rejected, and her father's reaction, including his objection to Harrington's prison work and his parole concerns.
victim, Santina Cauley, 3, female, irish (judged from name)Santina Cauleyconvicted, Karen Harrington, female, named, irish (judged from name)Karen Harrington - 6 Jun2024Karen Harrington fails to have conviction for murder of Santina Cawley (2) overturned
Court of Appeal judgment dismissing Harrington's privacy-based appeal, upholding the May 2022 guilty verdict and life sentence.
convicted, Karen Harrington, 40, female, named, irish (judged from name)Karen Harringtonvictim, Santina Cawley, 2, female, irish (judged from name)Santina Cawley