Father of murdered Santina Cawley pleads guilty to assaulting her killer

The father of two-year-old Santina Cawley, who was murdered three years ago at an apartment in Cork, has pleaded guilty to assaulting his former partner who was found guilty last week of killing his daughter.

Michael Cawley, of Leeside Apartments in Bachelor’s Quay in Cork city, appeared before Cork District Court on Wednesday in connection with a charge of assault causing harm to Karen Harrington on January 26th, 2021.

The offence occurred 18 months after Santina was found with fatal injuries at Elderwood Park in Boreenmanna Road in Cork. The girl was rushed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital where she died on the morning of July 5th, 2019.

No facts on the assault on Harrington (38) were outlined to Judge Joanne Carroll. However, the charge sheet refers to the assault occurring at a bus stop on Merchant’s Quay in Cork city centre in January of last year.

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[ The complete story of Karen Harrington's trial for murder of Santina Cawley (2) ]

Defence solicitor Frank Buttimer said that his 37-year-old client was prepared to plead guilty to the charge of assaulting Harrington.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis applied for an adjournment of a fortnight in the case. He said the adjournment was required in order to canvass the question of whether there is to be a victim impact statement in the case. Harrington is not obliged to give a statement but may choose to do so.

The judge adjourned the case until June 8th. Mr Cawley was remanded on continuing bail until his next court appearance. The facts of the case will be outlined in the next court hearing.

Harrington, of Lakelands Crescent, in Mahon, Cork, was jailed for life earlier this month after a jury unanimously convicted her of the murder of Santina Cawley following a trial at the Central Criminal Court sitting in the city. The jury took under five hours to reach their verdict.

Harrington had denied any responsibility in relation to the child’s death.

Mr Cawley, in a victim impact statement delivered via a family liaison officer, said that his daughter was a “beautiful, happy, friendly, caring, fun loving” girl.

“She enjoyed life – always smiling, she loved life, everyone loved her. She brought joy to my heart. She was my pride and joy. I will always be so proud of her.”