The prosecution in the trial of a 37-year-old woman who is charged with the murder of a two-year old girl, has told the jury there was scarcely a part of the child's body that did not show signs of trauma.
Karen Harrington, with an address at Lakelands Crescent, Mahon, in Cork, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Santina Cawley at an apartment in the city almost three years ago.
Santina was described as a child with a fondness for Teletubbies, who brought happiness to everyone who knew her.
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On the morning of 5 July 2019, the emergency services were called to an apartment at Elderwood Park on Boreenmanna Road in Cork where she had been staying.
Gardaí found Santina lifeless and unresponsive, lying on a duvet. She had injuries to her head and body.
She was rushed to Cork University Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Karen Harrington was living in the apartment and was in a relationship at the time with Santina's father, Michael Cawley.
Prosecuting Senior Counsel Seán Gillane told the jury they would hear evidence from a neighbour who would say he heard a child crying, and he could hear Karen Harrington mocking, taunting and terrorising the child some time after four that morning.
Mr Gillane said the jury would hear evidence of a post-mortem examination which showed Santina had suffered polytrauma and multiple bruising caused by blunt-force trauma.
He said the jury would hear of a traumatic brain injury caused by a fractured skull.
Mr Gillane said there was scarcely a part of Santina's body that did not show signs of trauma.
A jury of seven men and five women has been sworn to hear the case.
The trial is expected to last around four weeks.
