After 51 hours of deliberation over 14 days, a jury convicted four men of sexually abusing their deaf relative in Ireland's longest criminal trial. Six men faced 20 charges, but two acquittals were returned and charges against a seventh man were withdrawn. The abuse spanned 19 years from 1995 to 2014. The convicted include three uncles and three brothers of the victim; one brother was found guilty of anally raping his younger sister, who was a child at the time. All parties remain unnamed due to legal restrictions.
Jurors unable to reach verdict on two other men accused of sexual abuse, in trial that began last October After almost 51 hours of deliberations over the course of 14 days, the jury on Wednesday completed its work.
Photograph: Niall Carson/PA WireFour men have been convicted of sexually abusing their deaf relative following the longest criminal trial in the history of the State. Jurors were unable to agree a verdict in relation to two other men, who were also accused of the sexual abuse of the woman. After almost 51 hours of deliberations over the course of 14 days, the jury on Wednesday completed its work.
‘They have been feeding on bodies under the rubble’: Rodents are latest scourge to hit GazaThe Whiteheaded Boy review: Heart of Abbey’s summer show lies in an unexpected place Six men, aged between 33 and 55, faced a combined total of 20 charges – 16 of which related to the main complainant. They are her three uncles and three brothers.
Seven men originally went on trial last October charged with a combined total of 103 sexual abuse charges but 83 charges were withdrawn by theAll charges were withdrawn against one of the men – the main complainant’s 34-year-old brother – and he was free to go. The abuse is alleged to have occurred over a 19-year period between 1995 and 2014. None of the parties can be named for legal reasons.
One of the brothers was also charged with four counts pertaining to the sexual abuse of two other sisters. The men denied all of the charges against them.
Jurors had already returned verdicts on eight counts during the course of their deliberations and on Wednesday returned guilty verdicts on a further nine counts, all of which related to Accused C. They found this 35-year-old man guilty on Tuesday by a majority verdict of one count of anally raping his younger sister in the family home on a date between September 2010 and September 2014. She was a child at the time.
On Wednesday, the jury found Accused C guilty by a majority verdict on the remaining nine counts he faced. These counts included one of sexual assault in relation to one sister, Complainant 2, on a date between 2005 and 2006 and two counts of raping her on dates between 2015 and 2018.
They also included six counts in relation to the main complainant, comprising three counts of rape, two counts of anal rape and one count of sexual assault, all allegedly committed between 2003 and 2010. Accused C was not present in court when the case was called on Wednesday morning and Judge Caroline Biggs asked gardaí to make enquiries as to his whereabouts.
An investigating garda told the court after lunch that the man’s phone was off and that enquiries had been made at his home, but he did not stay there last night. The witness said a relative told them Accused C had been dropped to another town with an unknown friend.
The judge allowed the man to remain on continuing bail after the first guilty verdict was handed in on Tuesday after defence counsel said he needed time to settle his affairs. The other three men who were convicted earlier had also been permitted to remain on bail to make arrangements, with the judge indicating all convicted men would be remanded into custody when the jury completed its work.
In relation to the main complainant, the jury previously found one of her uncles guilty of all four charges against him. This 48-year-old man has been convicted of three counts of rape and one count of anal rape of the complainant on dates between 2006 and 2014. The jury has further found one of her younger brothers, Accused E , guilty of both counts against him.
He has been convicted of two counts of anally raping her between 2007 and 2009. Another younger brother, Accused F has been found guilty of one count of raping his sister between 2007 and 2009. On Tuesday, the jury told the judge that it is “absolutely deadlocked” in relation to the remaining count of rape against this accused brother.
They also told her they were deadlocked in their deliberations on the rape counts pertaining to the main complainant’s remaining two uncles, Accused A and Accused G. On Wednesday, jurors indicated to the judge they could not reach an agreement on verdicts in relation to these three counts. Accused A – the woman’s 55-year-old uncle – was accused of a single count of raping her on a date between December 2009 and April 2011.
Accused G was accused of a single count of raping her when she was a child on a date between 1995 and 1996. The judge remanded the three convicted men who were present in court into custody until next month when a sentence hearing will take place. She remanded the other two men on the same terms until that date for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions on the remaining counts.
The judge ordered the preparation of victim impact statements and other reports, extending legal aid for assessments to be prepared on behalf of Accused E and Accused F. Addressing the jurors, the judge said the court didn’t have the words to express its gratitude and that of all those working in the criminal justice system. She noted that all jurors had given “so much of themselves” on a voluntary basis, without payment or complaint, since last October and she excused them from jury service for the rest of their lives.
Girl injured in Parnell Square stabbing now non-verbal and in a wheelchair, mother tells courtMan appears in court charged with attempted murder after Belfast stabbingTrevor Dietz, manager of Fontaines DC and ‘the sixth member of the band’, diesI am off my phone and in the world – all it took was no internet. DepressingOnly 16% of adults hold shares, Ibec survey finds
Please follow us on Google to support usSexual Abuse Deaf Victim Ireland Longest Trial Family Abuse
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
France Beat Northern Ireland 3-1 in World Cup Warm-Up as Olise Scores Hat-TrickMichael Olise's second-half hat-trick propelled France to a 3-1 friendly victory over a valiant Northern Ireland side, who saw Patrick Kelly net his first international goal in a spirited display.
Read more »
Limerick City Centre Ranked as Most Littered Community in IrelandLimerick City Centre has topped IBAL's annual survey for most littered community in Ireland, with many other communities also ranked as 'moderately littered'.
Read more »
Five Men Convicted for Colluding on School Bus Tenders in IrelandA jury has found five men guilty of coordinating bids to distort competition for school bus service contracts with Bus Éireann. The defendants, all from Tipperary, operated routes in the southwest. The trial revealed systematic discussions on pricing and allocation, undermining the tender process. Sentencing hearings disclosed that two convicted men suffered heart attacks, with defence lawyers citing the trial's toll. The court heard arguments about their longstanding community service, lack of prior records, and in some cases, contributions to special needs transport, while acknowledging the financial and personal fallout from the convictions.
Read more »
France 1 Ireland 0: Ireland impress but Malard’s stunner sends France to World CupCarla Ward’s side had plenty of chances in Grenoble but couldn’t beat outstanding French goalkeeper Constance Picaud
Read more »