Courts / Ireland / Report

Indecent assault accused seeks to halt trial

Summary

A 65‑year‑old man accused of indecent assault on a younger female relative has applied to the High Court to halt his trial in the Circuit Criminal Court. He faces more than a dozen counts of indecent assault alleged to have occurred in the 1970s and 1980s when the complainant was a child relative. The man argues he cannot obtain a fair trial because his lawyers have not been provided with certain information he claims is essential to his defence. This information concerns allegations the complainant has made about other persons she says sexually abused her, but she has refused to name those persons or give details. He also cites the lengthy delay since the complainant's 2016 statement to the Gardai. The man denies the accusations, has no prior convictions, and claims the complainant suffers from psychiatric illnesses. In a judicial review action, he seeks an order preventing further prosecution.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Indecent assault accused seeks to halt trial. Charges or matters: the offences after the complainant made a statement to the Gardai in 2016. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• 2019-05-20 Publication

Why: The court heard that this is because his lawyers have not been furnished with certain information he claims is important to his defence of the allegations against him. Court evidence reported by CNI

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report