Child suffered 'extensive and unusual bruising', murder trial hears

State pathologist Heidi Okkers told Anne Rowland noted lacerations to the front and back of the child's liver which would have been caused by direct trauma to the abdomen, she said.

State pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers (pictured) concluded that the cause of death was a traumatic head injury, in association with blunt force trauma to the abdomen. Either injury could have independently caused death, she said. Picture: IrishPhotoDesk.ie

A child who had suffered "extensive and unusual" bruising across his body died from injuries to the head and liver that are typically associated with road traffic collisions or trauma from punching, kicking, gripping, or striking with a blunt object, a pathologist has told the Central Criminal Court.

State pathologist Heidi Okkers told Anne Rowland, prosecuting, that she was aware the child had been brought to hospital on March 13, 2021, with suspected non-accidental injuries. The most severe injuries were to the head and a laceration to the liver, while there were "extensive and unusual" bruises to the child's face, back, chest, arms, and legs.