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Saliva on child's underwear matched accused's DNA, trial hears

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, a 59‑year‑old man faced two charges of sexually assaulting a four‑year‑old girl between 27 July 2016 and 11 July 2017. He pleaded not guilty. On the fifth day of the trial, prosecutors presented forensic evidence. Dr Jennifer Ryan, a forensic scientist, reported that saliva was found on a pair of the child's underwear. DNA extracted from the underwear revealed a mixture of DNA from more than one person, including the child's DNA. Dr Charlotte Murphy, also a forensic scientist, further tested the saliva‑stained section and found DNA that matched the accused's profile. She estimated the probability of such a match occurring by chance as 1 in 6,700, concluding that the results provided "strong support" for the proposition that the accused had sexual contact with the child. The case proceeded before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Saliva on child's underwear matched accused's DNA, trial hears. Charges or matters: two charges of sexually assaulting the then four-year-old child on dates between July 27, 2016 and July 11, 2017. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• July 27, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
• July 11, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2020-01-20 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report