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Child did not know how to use knife and fork, Munster abuse trial hears

Summary

In the Central Criminal Court, a child abuse trial involving six extended family members is ongoing before Mr Justice McDermott and a jury. The accused, aged 27 to 57, include the parents, aunts, and uncles of three main child complainants. During the proceedings, the court heard evidence from foster parents describing the physical and emotional state of the children upon entering their care, including poor hygiene, missing teeth, and anxiety. A specialist garda interviewer testified regarding the interview process with a female complainant, acknowledging she was not present when the child wrote notes used during questioning. Defense counsel argued this impacted the reliability of the account. In a significant procedural development, the trial judge directed that the case against the children's grandmother, a 57-year-old woman accused of three counts of sexually assaulting her granddaughter, be withdrawn. Following legal argument, the judge ordered that she be found not guilty by direction. The remaining six accused face charges including sexual assault and wilful neglect. The trial continues with further evidence expected.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Child did not know how to use knife and fork, Munster abuse trial hears. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Acquitted

When:

• July 2017 Incident
• 2021-06-16 Publication

Why: She said they went shopping because he had no clothes and the child was "all excited". CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Finding Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report