Courts / Dublin / Report
Creche worker not guilty of sexually abusing one of four child complainants
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 29‑year‑old childcare worker was found not guilty of sexually assaulting one of four child complainants in a crèche. The jury delivered verdicts on five of 23 charges after 22 days of trial. The defendant had pleaded not guilty to 23 counts of assaulting girls aged five to eight between August 2014 and December 2016. Allegations arose when a girl reported kissing the man's privates, leading to CCTV review and child interviews in January 2017. The jury acquitted the defendant on three counts for one child and on two counts for a fourth child, leaving seven and two charges outstanding respectively. The trial highlighted the use of video‑link cross‑examination and the prosecution's claim of "quick, furtive, audacious" assaults outside CCTV view. The defense cited suggestibility among the children. The verdicts were reached by majority after one juror was discharged.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Creche worker not guilty of sexually abusing one of four child complainants. Charges or matters: 23 counts of sexually assaulting the girls at the crèche on dates between August 2014 and December 2016, when they were aged between five and eight years old. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- August 2014 Incident
- December 2016 Incident
- January 2017 Incident
- February 2015 Incident
- 2020-03-23 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: 23 counts of sexually assaulting the girls at the crèche on dates between August 2014 and December 2016, when they were aged between five and eight years old (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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