Courts / Ireland / Report

Children were 'treated like dogs' and abused by male relatives, prosecution tell jury

Summary

A trial is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court involving five defendants from an extended Traveller family, including a 66-year-old man, his three sons aged 38, 40, and 41, and the 63-year-old wife of the oldest son. The defendants face 126 counts of sexual abuse and assault allegedly committed against four children between 1999 and 2005. All five defendants deny the charges. The prosecution, led by Shane Costelloe SC, argued that the complainants were sexually abused by male relatives, describing the environment as one where children were "treated like dogs." Specifically, the first female complainant alleges she was repeatedly raped and sexually abused by three of her brothers. The second female complainant alleges rape by her grandfather, while a male complainant alleges repeated rape by his uncle. The defence, represented by Michael Bowman SC for the 66-year-old man, challenged the timeline and consistency of the evidence, particularly regarding the male complainant, arguing that care records contradicted the alleged dates of abuse. The defence also highlighted the significant time delay in bringing the case. The trial is currently at the closing speeches stage, with the jury instructed to decide based on the veracity of the complainants' evidence. The matter has not been concluded; the trial resumes on Monday before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Children were 'treated like dogs' and abused by male relatives, prosecution tell jury. Charges or matters: repeatedly raped and sexually abused by three of her brothers. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• February 2002 Other
• September 1999 Other
• March 2002 Other
• 1999 and 2005 Incident
• 2023-05-19 Publication

Why: But he said the jury must decide whether it was unsettling and unsavoury because four complainants came to court and told a "pack of lies" with the purpose of "stitching up five innocent people" or whether it was "unsettling and unsavoury that four children were sexually abused in the manner in which they have alleged". CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report