Courts / Dublin / Report
Young woman acquitted of sexually abusing younger cousin
Summary
In a two‑week Central Criminal Court trial, a 20‑year‑old Dublin woman was acquitted by a jury of all 12 counts of sexual abuse against her younger cousin, aged 10‑11 at the time. The charges included 11 counts of sexual assault and one count of section 4 rape, alleged to have occurred during family sleepovers between July 2017 and July 2019. The defendant denied all allegations, stating she never slept over in the cousin's house, never owned a tablet during the relevant period, and that the cousin had never stayed overnight in her home. Testimony from extended family members, including the cousin's parents, grandmother, and aunt, was presented for both sides. The jury deliberated over nine hours and returned not‑guilty verdicts on all counts, with the judge thanking the jurors and excusing them from future service for ten years. The unnamed 20-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Young woman acquitted of sexually abusing younger cousin. Charges or matters: 11 counts of sexual assault and one count of section 4 rape of her younger cousin in various addresses in Dublin on dates between July 2017 and July 2019. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- July 2017 Incident
- July 2019 Incident
- 2025-04-11 Publication
Why: She outlined tensions with the girl's mother – her daughter-in-law – as the reason for this. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: 11 counts of sexual assault and one count of section 4 rape of her younger cousin in various addresses in Dublin on dates between July 2017 and July 2019 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
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