Waterford parents on trial over 82 charges of abusing son

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

A trial was continuing at the Central Criminal Court against a Waterford man and woman facing 82 charges over alleged abuse of their son. The allegations concerned events in Waterford between 2007 and 2011, when he was aged five to nine. The proceedings were reported on 5 April 2016.

Each parent pleaded not guilty to 16 sexual exploitation counts and one child cruelty charge. The mother also denied 16 sexual assault counts. The father denied 16 counts of anal rape and 16 alleging sexual assault with a poker.

The parents told gardaí their son had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and behavioural problems, describing him as difficult.

Prosecuting counsel Pauline Walley SC said the boy initially reported alleged physical abuse by his father to a teacher. Social workers became involved, and he entered care. Counsel said allegations of sexual abuse against both parents followed over an extended period.

An examination revealed no physical trauma associated with sexual assault. Counsel said the examining doctor had explained that this finding did not rule out sexual abuse.

The report said that, in April of the previous year, the boy told a carer he had invented the sexual abuse allegations and that only physical abuse had happened. Counsel said he later told gardaí the allegations were true, explaining that fear of the forthcoming trial had prompted his retraction.

Mr Justice Robert Eager was presiding over the continuing trial. The jury was due to hear evidence from the boy, who was then aged 12.