Seven men alleged to have sexually abused female relative

A woman was allegedly sexually abused by seven of her male relatives over an extended period of time, a Central Criminal Court jury has been told.

The seven accused men, who are aged between 32 and 55, have pleaded not guilty to a total of 98 counts against them pertaining to the woman, who is deaf.

The accused men are the woman's three uncles and four younger brothers. The abuse against the woman, Complainant 1, is alleged to have occurred within the State over a 17 year period from 1996 until 2013.

One of the woman's brothers is also accused of four counts of sexually abusing another sister and of anally raping a third sister. He has also denied these charges.

The trial is set down for four months. None of the parties involved can be named for legal reasons.

In her opening address to the extended jury panel of 15 jurors today, Gerardine Small SC, prosecuting, said there is “no place for emotion or prejudice” in the trial, telling jurors that they must approach the evidence in a “cold and clinical manner”.

Ms Small said the seven accused men are presumed innocent. She said the allegations against the men are being tried together “for the sake of convenience”, but must be considered separately and distinctly.

Prosecuting counsel outlined that Complainant one is deaf and will be assisted to give her evidence by ISL interpreters and an intermediary, who is there to facilitate communication.

Ms Small gave jurors a brief outline of the expected evidence in the trial. She said Complainant one attended a sexual health promotion course in 2017 and told a social worker about alleged abuse by family members, after which gardai were notified and an investigation commenced.

She said the jury would also hear about the garda investigation and the men's interviews with gardai.

Counsel said that the allegation of rape against one man, Accused G (45), dates back to 1996/1997 while some allegations made against some of the other accused men are from the early 2000s.

Ms Small said a “significant period of time has elapsed” since then and that the “law recognises what are called old cases” can be more difficult to defend as “memories fade and the possibility of an alibi may not be available”. 

In relation to the counts pertaining to Complainant one, Accused A (55) – her uncle - is accused of a single count of raping her on a date between December 2009 and April 2011.

Accused B (48) is accused of eight counts involving rape, oral rape and anal rape of the same woman - his niece - on dates between December 2008 and December 2010.

Four younger brothers of the main complainant are also accused of sexually abusing her over varying periods of time. 

Accused C (34) is accused of 45 counts – 22 of rape and 23 counts of anally raping her over a 12 year period between 2001 and 2013.

Accused D (33) is accused of 22 counts of sexually abusing his sister over an 11 year period on dates between 2002 and 2013. He has pleaded not guilty to 19 charges of rape and three counts of anal rape.

 Accused E (32), is accused of 16 counts of sexual abuse against his sister over an eight year period  between 2003 and 2011. He has denied nine counts of anal rape and seven counts of raping her.

The fourth brother, Accused F (also 32), has denied five counts – three counts of anal rape and two counts of raping his sister on dates between 2007 and 2010.

Another uncle, Accused G (45), has denied a single count of raping her on a date between 1996 and 1997.

Accused C is further charged with the sexual abuse of two of his younger sisters. He is charged with one count of sexual assault in relation to one sister, Complainant two, on a date between 2005 and 2006 when she was a child. He is also charged with two counts of rape and one of anal rape of this woman on dates between 2016 and 2019.

He is also charged with one count of anally raping a third sister, Complainant three, on dates between 2013 and 2014.

Ms Justice Caroline Biggs directed the jury to return on Monday, when it is expected that evidence will commence.