Courts / Dublin / Report
Child complainant said she 'didn't understand the truth', creche trial hears
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Garda Ciara Holmes admitted she failed to instruct two child interviewees to tell the truth during January 2017 interviews, describing it as an oversight. Holmes, 29, faces 23 counts of sexual assault against four girls at a Leinster creche between February 2015 and December 2016. The trial presented video footage of the first two complainants' specialist interviews. The first girl reported the accused touched her privates in the creche and on the creche bus, while the second alleged he licked her privates in the bathroom and classroom. Garda Louise Curtin testified that the second girl, then six, had not been told she could refuse to speak and expressed fear during the interview. The case proceeds before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury of twelve. The unnamed 29-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Child complainant said she 'didn't understand the truth', creche trial hears. Charges or matters: 23 counts of sexually assaulting the four girls at a Leinster créche on dates between February 2015 and December 2016. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- January 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2020-03-02 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: 23 counts of sexually assaulting the four girls at a Leinster créche on dates between February 2015 and December 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Sexual Offences Stage Trial Violent Crime
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
Help us improve this report
Your request is saved for the newsroom's next review. It does not immediately change the published report.
Prefer email? Send a correction request.