We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
AISLING BRADY MCCARTHY, the Irish nanny who was accused of killing a one-year-old girl who was in her charge in Boston, plans to take a legal action in the American civil courts to expose her treatment at the hands of the authorities there.
Brady McCarthy spent 27 months in prison after being charged with the murder of baby Rehma Sabir in 2013.
In September 2015 all charges against the 37-year-old Cavan woman were dropped. She was subsequently deported from the US where she had lived as an illegal immigrant since 2002.
She now wants to see the doctor who first implicated her regarding Rehma’s death, Dr Alice Newton, and Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan held accountable for her imprisonment.
“They weren’t just wrong in my case, they were reckless,” McCarthy told the Boston Globe in an interview.
And they never lost a minute’s sleep. They just moved on to the next case. I want to expose this because I don’t want it to happen to anyone else.
The Boston Globe / Twitter“I don’t trust people like I used to,” Aisling Brady McCarthy said. https://t.co/aLTbSMCb8a pic.twitter.com/n4pOVcnDVN
— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) January 17, 2016
Ruined
In September McCarthy’s lawyer said that her life had been ruined. Now she is trying to pick up the pieces with her husband Don in Ballincollig, Co Cork, as she plans her legal challenge.
“If I don’t let go, it will consume me,” she told the Boston Globe.
I don’t want people to feel sorry for me. I want to move on.
McCarthy says that she has been unable to find work since returning home.
“I was a nanny. I’m not going to do that again,” she said.
Who’s going to want to hire a 37-year-old who’s been out of the country for 15 years?
McCarthy has not ruled out returning to America, although Boston is no longer an option according to her interview.
The former nanny is banned from returning to the US for at least 10 years after her deportation for living there as an illegal immigrant.
She says however that her incarceration has given her a new perspective on life:
“When I was in prison, I had a loving family that came to see me.”
I called my husband twice a day. Some of the girls had nobody. Some people have nothing. No matter what, your life is always better than someone else’s.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
She was treated like dirt and as if she was guilty from day one, something like that would nearly stick with ya for life when trying to get work in her line, I hope she sues and sues for a lot
It was appalling how this woman was scapegoated. The investigation and prosecution were highly defective. It was a clear case of investigator bias, a common cognitive defect of investigators and one which they are required to guard against.
Dr. Alice Newton jumped to false conclusions in a premature way. The consequences were terrible.
I couldn’t agree more. I also noted that during the 2 years of her incarceration there was little mention of her case in the media here, compared to other cases, except to say it had happened or when something of note occurred. It left me with the impression that the media here were, at best were unsure of her guilt or innocence and at worst felt she was guilty. By reporting the bare minimum and sticking to clinical details they were trying to avoid any suggestion of ‘egg on their face’ at a later date.
Making a murderer part deux
Fair play to her she was treated abysmal, hope she cleans them out,
Good luck to her litigation in the USA is an expensive business though I do agree those who put her in jail for 2 years should be held to account.
Perhaps the “elephant in the room” of how the child had “pre-nanny” injuries might be explained? Good luck to her.
I hope she gets a fortune out of them. Terrible tragedy but that poor woman’s life was almost ruined because of these muppets parading her around like a witch on trial.
Good for you young lady. Go get them. Something was smelly and underhanded about this whole case …apart from the awful way you were dealt with
In addition to the way you were dealt with
Well it seems to be pretty clear cut, they obviously made a hames of the case and it sounds like she should have been released after a few months, not 2 years.
Very similar to the Louise Woodward case where prosecutors jumped the gun based on very dodgy medical evidence.
Was Louise Woodward found guilty?
Jury found her guilty abd then the judge overturned it (or something like that).
From what I recall, Louise was found guilty of murder because manslaughter was not given as an option, it was either murder or nothing. The judge overturned that, found her guilty of manslaughter and her sentence was reduced to time served. I watched the case everyday and always thought the evidence against her was also suspect.
I was living in Boston at the time it all happened and she was an acquaintance of mine. I warned one of her friends on a night out in Quincy that those prosecutors are relentless. Unfortunately I have experience with the US Police and justice system. My x-bf really was absolutely done in by the b*stards. I admit it really scared me. The State Police and local town police really can do whatever and say whatever they like. And that is an exclusive club. Then their mates the prosecutors get involved. They don’t give a single care if your innocent, they care only about their conviction rate. If you ever new what the cops get away with over there. The less that perfect by far Gardia Shíochána I would take any day. One any back ground check for a job in the states that will come up regardless if she was innocent.
Get in the queue. Avery has been in longer.
The biggest private industry in America is the prison industry.
“3 strikes and you are out” fills American Profitable Private Sector Prisons.
Three strikes usually means you stole 3 Mars bars.
And are black.
P.S
Stealing the 3 Mars Bars leaves you with life in prison and a very profitable American prison industry.
She looks white Irish.
She would have been treated so mercifully if her skin were black.
MY last comment was sarcastic.
American judges treat black and white women differently.
Black bad..White good.
Slight exaggeration! Stealing a mars bar is only a misdemeanour. The 3 strikes rule only applies to Felonies.
Nothing inherently wrong with that.
You’re two thirds right. The 3 strikes rule means that if someone has 2 felony convictions against them then the next conviction no matter how trivial results in a life sentence. That’s where the stories of guys getting 20 years for stealing a bag of chocolate chip cookies. It does happen, its a draconian system.
She will make a killing…
There’s always one.
Carol – it is normally him.
I don’t comment much Paul so I will take your word for it.
There are no winners in this scenario. A child is dead and countless lives have been hurt and destroyed as a result.
Again?
It will be expensive as Judges can cut the amounts juries award but she has to clear her name after all those costs???
Nearly 2 years in a U.S prison for something she didn’t do. The prosecution system is faulty and probably corrupt. I hope she gets enough money out of them to retire in luxury.
Nice to see a smile back on that womens face, she has gone through hell.
Making a murder 2.
So what DID happen to that poor child?
Would she have done the two years if she hadn’t been an illegal immigrant ? I have a feeling, but am not sure, that the authorities probably thought her a flight risk.
How much coke did she do that weekend and all other weekends before hand.. had a dealer on speed dial
She’s dead right, go get em” Good luck.
have your say