Courts / Dublin / Report

Jury told sex assault case "is not a beauty contest"

Date
2020-01-22

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, a 59‑year‑old man faced two charges of sexually assaulting a four‑year‑old girl between July 2016 and July 2017. The child had been cared for by the accused's wife and daughter since age one, and the accused's family had maintained a friendly relationship with the child's mother for years. Prosecutor Pauline Walley urged the jury that the case was not a "beauty contest" and that they should not base their decision on the accused's appearance. She highlighted that the child's statements about being assaulted were consistent with other evidence, including DNA found in the child's underwear, which the accused claimed was due to the child's hand in his mouth. A forensic scientist testified that saliva on the inside gusset would be unlikely in that scenario. Walley argued that a "cold, clinical" assessment would lead to a conviction for sexual assault involving rubbing and licking the child's vagina. The unnamed 59-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury told sex assault case "is not a beauty contest". Charges or matters: two charges of sexually assaulting the then four-year-old child on dates between July 27, 2016 and July 11, 2017. Procedural stage: trial

When: