A WOMAN has been charged with the murder of two-year-old Santina Cawley.

Karen Harrington, 35, and with an address of 26 Elderwood Park, Boreenmanna Road appeared before a sitting of Cork District Court on Anglesea Street this morning after she was arrested at 7.56am at 3 Lakelands Crescent, Mahon.

Detective Garda Cormac Crotty gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution of Ms Harrington.

She was charged at 8.45am at the Bridwell Garda Station. 

He said that in reply to the charge Ms Harrington said: "I do not understand why I am getting charged. I didn't murder no one."

An application for legal aid was granted. The court heard that she is four and a half months pregnant and solicitor Paula McCarthy applied for any necessary medical attention to be given to her in prison.

She has been remanded in custody to appear before Cork District Court on Monday, August 26.

No application for bail was made and the court was told this would be a matter for the High Court.

Members of the Santina Cawley's family were in court including her father Mike and mother Brigid.

Santina Cawley died at Cork University Hospital on July 5, hours after being rushed to the hospital with serious injuries from an apartment at the Elderwood complex on Boreenmanna Road.