29-year-old man has no verdict on sexual assault charges

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

The 29-year-old man was tried at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 23 and 24 March 2020 on 23 counts of sexual assault and had pleaded not guilty. The jury found him not guilty on five charges involving two complainants, including three charges relating to the first girl and both charges relating to the fourth girl.

The jury could not agree on verdicts for the remaining 18 counts after deliberating for 21 hours and 41 minutes on 24 March. Judge Elma Sheahan thanked the jury, remanded the man on continuing bail and adjourned the matter to 16 June 2020.

The prosecution alleged that the man sexually assaulted the girls at various locations in the creche. The defence said the case was marked by failures to listen to the children, alleged investigative failings and contradictions, and pointed to a complainant’s concession that she might have said things that were untrue. It also argued that conduct involving another child was not inappropriate, and raised possible suggestibility, changes in accounts and jealousy.

The proceedings were reported on 24 March 2020.