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Juror's letter contains no evidence of 'impropriety', Munster abuse case judge says

Summary

In a Munster child‑sexual‑abuse case, Mr Justice Paul McDermott rejected defence attempts to set aside guilty verdicts following a juror's letter. Five family members—three men and two women aged 27 to 57—were found guilty of 77 of 78 counts, including sexual abuse of three children between 2014 and 2016. The parents were also convicted of wilfully neglecting five children and the father of mistreating three with medication. All defendants denied the charges. The judge ruled that, as trial judge, he had no jurisdiction to overturn a jury verdict once delivered and that the juror's letter contained no evidence of impropriety. He advised the case could be taken to the Court of Appeal and adjourned a sentence hearing for January 10, to be held over two days. The hearing will consider the 27‑year‑old uncle's eight guilty verdicts, the 49‑year‑old uncle's ten, and the father's convictions. The unnamed 27-year-old was acquitted.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Juror's letter contains no evidence of 'impropriety', Munster abuse case judge says. Charges or matters: mistreating three of them by giving them medication; eight of the nine charges against him; six counts of rape and two counts of sexual exploitation. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Acquitted

When:

• August 2014 Other
• April 2016 Other
• January 10 Adjournment
• 2014 and 2016 Other
• 2021-12-21 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

Read the original CNI report