A 32-year-old Cavan child minder has appeared in court charged with causing serious harm to a 10-month-old girl.
Sandra Higgins from The Beeches, Cavan town, was charged with the alleged offence under Section 4 of the non Fatal Offences Against the Person, on March 28th, 2012 .
Det Garda Linda Harkin from Cavan Garda station told Cavan District Ccourt that she arrested the accused at 8.05am for the purpose of charge on the direction of the DPP.
She was taken to Cavan Garda Station and formally charged at 9.09am. The accused made no reply when cautioned, the court heard.
Judge Sean MacBride directed that the name of the infant not be revealed to protect her identity.
Supt Jimmy Coen of Cavan Garda station said the DPP had directed that the matter proceed on indictment and she could be returned for trial on a signed plea.
Judge MacBride remanded the accused on her own bail of €500 to appear at Cavan District Court on June 27th for the preparation of a book of evidence.
Strict bail conditions were also imposed. A request by Ms Higgins’s solictor Martin Cosgrove for free legal aid was granted.
Conditions of bail are that Ms Higgins resides at The Beeches, signs on every Monday at Cavan Garda station and has no contact directly or indirectly with witnesses in the case.
She is to surrender her passport if any and not to apply for any travel documents or leave the jurisdiction until all matters are concluded and determined.
In the event of a change of address, the accused must notify the State and the court with a minimum notice in writing of 48 hours.