KAREN HARRINGTON FROM CORK CHALLENGES CONVICTION IN CHILD MURDER CASE

In June 2022, Karen Harrington, a woman from Cork, is actively pursuing an appeal against her recent conviction for the tragic murder of two-year-old Santina Cawley. The legal documents pertaining to her challenge were officially filed on May 30, though the court has yet to set a specific date for the appeal hearing to take place before the Court of Appeal.

Harrington, aged 38 at the time, was found guilty last month by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of Ireland for the brutal killing of Santina Cawley. The incident occurred on July 5, 2019, within an apartment complex located in Cork. The court heard that Santina succumbed to injuries inflicted during her time in Harrington’s care, suffering a traumatic brain injury and severe spinal damage. The child’s injuries included a fractured skull, fractures to her arm, leg, and ribs, all of which contributed to her death.

The pathologist’s report detailed that every part of Santina’s tiny body bore bruises, with a total of 53 injuries documented. Medical experts described the injuries as “unrecoverable,” emphasizing the severity and brutality of the assault. Following a harrowing four-week trial, Harrington was handed a life sentence on May 16, with the jury’s verdict being unanimous. The court’s decision marked a somber moment in Cork’s judicial history, reflecting the gravity of the crime.

Harrington’s current incarceration marks her second month serving a life sentence for the murder. The circumstances surrounding the killing revealed that she had been under the influence of alcohol and cannabis for several hours prior to the incident. Throughout the trial, Harrington vehemently denied any involvement in Santina’s death, yet she was unable to provide a plausible explanation for how the toddler sustained such horrific injuries while in her sole care.

Extensive CCTV footage played a crucial role in the case, showing that the only individual who entered and exited the apartment with Santina at the relevant time was Karen Harrington herself. This evidence was pivotal in establishing her presence at the scene and her sole responsibility for the child’s injuries.

In a related incident, Santina’s father, Michael Crawley, received a suspended ten-month prison sentence after assaulting Harrington on a bus. The altercation occurred in Cork city, where Crawley, aged 37, was seen on CCTV violently attacking Harrington, who was then on bail awaiting her murder trial. Judge Olann Kelleher at Cork District Court warned Crawley that he was “a violent man” and cautioned him against taking the law into his own hands. The court heard that Crawley, upon seeing Harrington on the bus, forcibly threw her to the ground and repeatedly kicked her. The assault lasted approximately 10 to 15 seconds before Crawley left the scene and contacted the Gardaí to report the incident.

Crawley later pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at Merchant’s Quay in Cork city center on January 26, 2021, roughly 18 months after his daughter’s death. His defense solicitor, Frank Buttimer, explained that his client was under immense emotional strain due to the ongoing court proceedings and the trauma of losing his daughter. He argued that Crawley’s actions were driven by a loss of control, stating, “He was enraged when he saw the person he believed, correctly as it transpired, that had killed his daughter.”

Judge Kelleher sentenced Crawley to a ten-month prison term, which was suspended for two years upon his entering a €400 bond to maintain peace. The judge emphasized that Crawley would not be given a second chance if he reoffended, underscoring the seriousness of his actions and the emotional turmoil that led to the assault.