Courts / Waterford / Report

Complainant tells trial he was further abused while under foster care

Date
2016-04-18

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Waterford

Summary

During a trial at the Central Criminal Court, a 12‑year‑old boy, who was removed from his family home after alleging that his father raped him and forced him to have sex with his mother, testified that he was sexually abused while in foster care. He said the first foster family was almost as bad as his parents, with constant shouting but no hitting or rape. He also claimed that a relative of his foster mother sexually abused him, describing an older boy who wanted to have sex with him. The boy denied that his father had a gun to his head or that the father owned 50 guns and 50 bullets, insisting the allegations were true. The trial continues with the boy's evidence before Mr Justice Robert Eagar and a jury. The unnamed 12-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Complainant tells trial he was further abused while under foster care. Charges or matters: 16 counts each of sexual exploitation and one charge each of child cruelty. Procedural stage: trial

When:

2007 and 2011 Incident
2016-04-18 Publication

Why: " The child agreed with his father's defence counsel, Colman Cody SC, that he tried to run away from his first foster home because he missed his parents. Defence account reported by CNI