Courts / Wexford / Report

Man accused of child sex abuse seeks to prohibit retrial

Summary

A man accused of sexually abusing three children in the 1960s and 1970s has filed a High Court action seeking to prohibit a retrial. He faces more than 40 counts of sexual abuse of three siblings in County Wexford between 1966 and 1979. The defendant denies all charges. In November, a Wexford Circuit Court jury failed to reach a verdict on 46 charges after a two‑week trial, leading to an order for a retrial. In the current proceedings, the defendant requests the High Court to issue several orders, including one that would prevent the retrial from proceeding. He argues that a retrial would risk denying him a fair trial, citing the long passage of time since the alleged incidents. Counsel John Peart SC said allowing the retrial would breach the defendant's rights. Mr Justice Michael Peart granted leave to bring the challenge ex‑parte and placed a stay on the prosecution pending the High Court's decision.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man accused of child sex abuse seeks to prohibit retrial. Charges or matters: more than 40 counts of sexually abusing three siblings in Co Wexford on dates between 1966 and 1979. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• 1966 and 1979 Incident
• 2014-03-24 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report