Courts / Limerick / Report
Women tell court they lost half their family after childhood abuse revealed
Summary
Two women, aged 33 and younger, testified that they were sexually abused by an older cousin and a second cousin, and that their families did not believe them. The 33‑year‑old accused pleaded guilty to rape, oral rape and sexual assault of the older girl and sexual assault of the younger girl between 2004 and 2008 at their grandparents' home. His older brother, aged 34, pleaded guilty to one count of rape and sexual assault of the older girl in 2005. The second cousin, aged 14 at the time of the offence, was charged only for one incident. The court heard the women described lifelong trauma, PTSD and loss of family support. Mr Justice Tony Hunt adjourned sentencing to 31 March, remanded the men in custody and praised the women's strength. The accused men read apology letters and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. The case remains at the sentencing stage.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Women tell court they lost half their family after childhood abuse revealed. Charges or matters: rape, oral rape and sexual assault of the older girl and sexual assault of the younger girl at their grandparents' Co Meath home, on dates between 2004 and 2008; one count of rape and sexual assault of the older girl on one occasion on a date in 2005. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- March 31 Adjournment
- 2004 and 2008 Incident
- 2005 and 2008 Incident
- 2025-03-11 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: rape, oral rape and sexual assault of the older girl and sexual assault of the younger girl at their grandparents' Co Meath home, on dates between 2004 and 2008; one count of rape and sexual assault of the older girl on one occasion on a date in 2005 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Mr Justice Hunt adjourned sentencing until March 31 and remanded the men in custody.
Places mentioned
Topics
Stage Charge Or Pretrial Violent Crime
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