Courts / Ireland / Report

Sister was 'completely different person' after alleged attempted rape by sports coach, witness tells trial

Summary

A sister of one of the four women allegedly abused by their sports coach around 50 years ago testified that her sister was a 'completely different person' the day after the alleged attempted rape. The complainant, who was around 12 years old at the time, described how she stopped wearing skirts and started wearing jeans to protect herself from the alleged abuse. The accused, now 77, has pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of indecent assault and attempted rape. The complainant denied the defense's assertion that she was lying about the abuse. The trial continues with the prosecution alleging that the abuse included kissing, inappropriate touching, and forced oral sex. The defense has challenged the complainant's account, but she maintained that the abuse occurred. The jury has heard that the accused has pleaded guilty to some counts but remains not guilty to others. The trial is ongoing before Mr Justice Mícheál O'Higgins and the jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Sister was 'completely different person' after alleged attempted rape by sports coach, witness tells trial. Charges or matters: 41 counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape on dates between 1971 and 1975 when she was aged between eight and 12 years old; 74 counts of sexually abusing four girls in the 1970s and 1980s; a total of 73 counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape; a further five counts of indecently assaulting one of these complainants – the first complainant – on dates between May and September 1976. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• August 1975 Incident
• September 1976 Other
• 1971 and 1975 Incident
• 1971 and 1981 Incident
• 1980 and 1981 Other
• 1975 and 1977 Incident
• 2026-06-26 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report