Friday 30 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 13714Assault causing serious harm to a child · Co. Cork · 4 Jan 2021

Father found not guilty of assaulting five-month-old daughter

A 31-year-old father was charged with three offences over injuries to his five-month-old daughter, who was taken to Cork University Hospital in January 2021 with bleeding in the brain, a fractured collar bone and bruising. The charges covered events between 25 November and 15 December 2020 and 4 January 2021. He was tried at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, where the jury found him not guilty of all three charges, as reported in May 2025. No sentence has been reported, and the acquittal is the latest development.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Acquitted16 May
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The girl had bleeding in the brain, a fractured collar bone, and bruising to her face and body.
Where
She was taken to Cork University Hospital in January 2021 after a period of sustained vomiting.
When
  • The father was charged with causing serious harm to her on 4 January 2021.
  • The father was also charged with assault causing harm to the girl between 25 November and 15 December 2020.
Charges
The father was charged with three offences, including willfully assaulting or ill-treating the child in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering to her health.
In court
  • The trial took place at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.
  • The jury found the father not guilty of all three charges.
Investigation
A consultant ophthalmologist said the eye injury was highly suggestive of shaken baby syndrome.
Other details
  • The child's grandmother gave evidence at the trial.
  • The defence entered two photographs of the child as exhibits, which the father said were taken after the alleged incidents.
  • One report describes the verdict as not guilty of cruelty, while the body text describes the charges as assault.
Sentence
No sentence is reported, as the father was acquitted.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe child had bleeding in the brain, a fractured collar bone and bruising to her face and body. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe child was taken to Cork University Hospital in January 2021. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe father was charged with causing serious harm to the child on 4 January 2021. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe father was charged with assault causing harm to the child between 25 November and 15 December 2020. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe father was charged with three offences. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe trial took place at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe jury found the father not guilty of all three charges. (rte.ie)
  • otherA consultant ophthalmologist said the eye injury was highly suggestive of shaken baby syndrome. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe grandmother of the child gave evidence at the trial. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe defence entered two photographs of the child as exhibits, which the father said were taken after the alleged incidents. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe father was acquitted of all three charges. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 May2025
    Acquittedrte.ie, first report
    Father found not guilty of cruelty to five month old baby

    Reports the verdict of not guilty on all three charges after a trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, including medical evidence and defence photographs.

    victim, five months, femaleaccused, 31, male