34 year old Aisling McCarthy Brady from Lavey in County Cavan denies charges of assault and battery following the death of 1 year old Reham Sabir in Boston.

She appeared at a District Court in Boston and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

A preliminary post-mortem examination found the child died because of serious brain swelling.

The Department of Foreign Affairs says it will provide any consular assistance needed.

Kevin Cullen from the Boston Globe newspaper says a prosecutor told the court yesterday that the charges facing Aisling McCarthy Brady could be upgraded to homicide:

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