A married couple has been jailed after being convicted of the female genital mutilation of their daughter.
The 37-year-old man and 27-year-old woman - who can't be named to protect the girl’s identity - both pleaded not guilty of the offence on their then one-year-old child at an address in Dublin.
Their trial heard evidence of the couple arriving at hospital with their then one-year-old daughter on September 16th 2016.
She was bleeding and in need of assistance.
The surgeon who performed the procedure to stop the bleeding came to the conclusion that her injury was not an accident, and gardaí were contacted.
The girl’s father told the doctor she’d fallen on a toy, but the evidence didn't support his claim.
The prosecution didn't try to convince the jury that the couple carried out the act themselves, but that they allowed it to happen and must have been there when it took place.
The jury convicted the 37-year-old man and 27-year-old woman after almost three hours of deliberations.
They were both also found guilty of child cruelty.
Judge Elma Sheahan today sentenced the man to five and a half years imprisonment, and the woman to four years and nine months.
Detective Chief Superintendent Declan Daly today said the conviction and sentence represents the "first of its kind" in the country.
He said: "It sends a strong and important message that female genital mutilation, the mutilation of children and young girls, is not and will not be tolerated. It is a heinous and barbaric practice which is a criminal offence in Ireland.
"Ireland has a long and proud history of embracing traditions and customs from abroad - however, there can be no ‘welcome’ for any activity which brings harm to children."
