Sister describes Aisling Brady McCarthy's ordeal in US on charge of murdering baby
The sister of Aisling Brady McCarthy has spoken out on behalf of the family for the first time, saying bringing her sister home was very emotional.
The 37-year-old Cavan native spent 27 months in prison before charges against her of murdering a baby in Boston were dropped.
She was accused of killing one-year old Rehma Sabir who she was minding in January 2013.
The prosecution had alleged Rehma suffered injuries after being shaken, but two weeks ago, the charges were dropped when an earlier decision that the baby’s cause of death was homicide was reversed.
In an exclusive interview on RTÉ's Prime Time, Sharon Grehan said the trauma of her sister spending 28 months in prison in the United States was "tremendously difficult".
She said: "I mean she's been through hell. What happened to her was terrible. It should never have happened. But she's enjoying her freedom. She's enjoying the time with her husband.
"She needs her space but she is doing well. She's a strong girl."
Ms Brady McCarthy’s sister, who accompanied her back to Ireland at the start of the month, said bringing her sister home was very emotional.
“There were a lot of tears a lot of joy, a lot of calls, so much support, people have been just wonderful,” Ms Grehan said.
“Landing in Shannon was just surreal, the people at Shannon were great, they just got us out, at that point you were just so overwhelmed. There was not time to speak with media, we really just wanted to get her home.”
Ms Grehan, who lives in Boston, said her sister is currently still in Ireland with her husband Don and their extended families. She also said that Aisling may have more to say on her side of the story at a later date.
“There are a lot more facts that haven’t been reported on,” she said. “Aisling is doing amazingly well, despite what she’s been through. She’s been through hell. What happened to her was terrible. It should never have happened.”
