LATEST: Tears as video of dancing Millie shown in court
Published 15 Oct 2012 13:29
They watched and they wept today (Monday) as a video of murdered toddler Millie Martin "dancing" in her granny's home three days before she died was played to the Dungannon Crown Court.
Her 27-year-old mother, Rachael Martin, from Main Street, Kesh, denies wilfully neglecting and allowing her death, while Rachael's 33-year-old former partner Barry McCarney, of Woodview Crescent, Trillick, denies the murder of the 15-month-old toddler and sexually and physically abusing her.
The video clip was filmed by Millie's mother, who cried openly in the dock, while behind her in the public galley her clearly distressed mother, Mrs. Margaret Graham, also fought back tears.
Others in the public gallery simply could not bring themselves to watch, and sat with their head bowed, as Millie danced to the ring tone, of "A Galway Girl" being played on her granny's mobile phone.
The footage of Millie dancing and swaying away in front of her step-grandfather, Mr. Noel Graham, with not a care in the world, revelling at being the centre of attention, could not have been more different than one already shown to the jury.
That earlier video, shocking, given its content, was captured on the security CCTV system of the Erne Hospital the moment she arrived at Accident and Emergency Department.
In the short clip, no more than 10 seconds in duration, a barefoot McCartney could been seen rushing in with Millie in his arms.
As McCarney ran out of with Millie, wrapped in a blanket, her face was captured in the final frame with her mouth apparently gaping open.
A consultant who examined the infant a short time afterwards, said that he believed Millie was already brain-stem dead as hospital staff fought to save her young life.
Earlier Mr. Graham described his stepdaughter, Rachael Martin, as being "an exceptionally good mum'', and she gave him ''absolutely none'' concern regarding her parenting skills.
He also told Martin's defence QC John McCrudden that: ''Rachael impressed me as a very good mother at all times."
The trial continues.
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.
