Courts / Waterford / Report

"You could just stand up and admit what you've done": rape complainant addresses accused brother at trial

Date
2018-04-25

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Waterford

Summary

In the Central Criminal Court, a 41‑year‑old woman accused her 47‑year‑old brother of repeated rape and sexual assault from age four to about twelve. She pleaded that the abuse began in their family home and continued in fields, woodlands, school grounds, a community centre and a clubhouse. She said her brother threatened to slit her wrists and throat, and to shoot their mother with a shotgun if she reported the abuse. She claimed she was raped countless times, including at least four incidents on the grounds of an old building, one at night. She told the jury that she would not endure her "dirtiest secrets" being exposed if the abuse had never occurred, urging her brother to "stand up and admit what you've done." The trial is before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury of eleven. The unnamed 47-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "You could just stand up and admit what you've done": rape complainant addresses accused brother at trial. Charges or matters: 56 counts of rape and 15 counts of sexual assault in Co Waterford on dates between December 1983 and June 1988. Procedural stage: trial

When: