Courts / Ireland / Report
Accused bids to halt trial on historic sex abuse charges
Summary
A man in his 70s has filed a High Court challenge to stop his trial for five charges of indecent assault against his cousin, who was a teenage secondary school student in the early to mid‑1980s. The alleged offences are said to have taken place at the accused's home when he was in his 30s. The complainant claims the accused groomed and exploited her during her teens. The accused denies the allegations and argues that the passage of time, the death of witnesses, lost evidence, lack of precise dates in the charges, and his deteriorating neurological health have prejudiced his right to a fair trial. He seeks to quash the indictment and the decision to send him to trial, and to declare that his continued prosecution breaches his constitutional and European Convention rights. Mr Justice Charles Meenan granted permission on an ex‑parte basis, putting a stay on the prosecution and adjourned the matter to January.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Accused bids to halt trial on historic sex abuse charges. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- 2019-11-18 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Outcome: The judge, who put a stay on the prosecution from proceeding pending the outcome of the High Court action, adjourned the matter to a date in January.
Places mentioned
- High Court
- Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Stage Charge Or Pretrial Violent Crime
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