Courts / Ireland / Report

'I don't understand how anyone would do that' - Mother's response to allegation that she sexually assaulted her three-year-old daughter

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a mother in her 50s pleaded not guilty to 13 counts of sexual assault and one count of rape, claiming she never sexually abused her three‑year‑old daughter or facilitated her uncle's rape. She said she felt "slightly sick" when told she had abused the child before age four and denied any other alleged assaults, including a claim that she bit her daughter. The mother also denied being present when her daughter was raped by her uncle and denied any sexual activity with him. The uncle, in his 40s, pleaded not guilty to five rape counts and one oral rape count, denying all allegations and stating he did not know why his niece would accuse him. A third defendant, aged in his 50s, pleaded not guilty to one oral rape count and denied any contact with the child. The trial continues.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'I don't understand how anyone would do that' - Mother's response to allegation that she sexually assaulted her three-year-old daughter. Charges or matters: all charges; 13 counts of sexual assault on dates between 2000 and 2009, and between 2012 and 2014, primarily at the family home; one count of rape, in that she facilitated the rape of the complainant by her uncle. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• 2000 and 2009 Incident
• 2012 and 2014 Incident
• 2003 and 2012 Incident
• 2008 and 2009 Incident
• 2025-07-03 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report