Courts / Waterford / Report

Father told gardai that son had been "brainwashed", abuse trial hears

Date
2016-05-10

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Waterford

Summary

In a Waterford abuse trial, a jury heard that a sex tape featuring the accused parents and another woman was found in the house. The father claimed the allegations were a result of "brainwashing" by the health board, stating the boy's accusations were implanted. The boy had previously alleged that his father raped him, sexually abused him with a hot poker, and forced him to have sex with his mother over several years from about age six. He also claimed his father filmed some incidents, held a gun to his head, and locked him in a box. The parents face 82 abuse charges from 2007 to 2011. Both pleaded not guilty to 16 counts of sexual exploitation and one child cruelty charge each, while the mother denied 16 sexual assault counts and the father denied 16 anal rape and 16 sexual assault with a poker.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Father told gardai that son had been "brainwashed", abuse trial hears. Charges or matters: 16 counts each of sexual exploitation and one charge each of child cruelty. Procedural stage: trial

When:

2007 and 2011 Incident
2016-05-10 Publication

Why: When asked what his wife would say about their son's allegations, the accused said "she will laugh at you" because they were "ridiculous". CNI source report