Courts / Dublin / Report

Girl tells creche trial she may have been telling untrue stories about accused

Date
2020-02-28
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, a 10‑year‑old girl, the second complainant, testified that she may have fabricated parts of her story about a 29‑year‑old childcare worker accused of sexually assaulting four girls. The girl, who was six at the time of the alleged incidents, had previously given a video interview in January 2017, describing the worker as pulling her pants down, holding her against a wall, and licking her privates. During cross‑examination, the defence counsel suggested she might have told untrue stories to amuse friends. The girl admitted uncertainty about some details, such as the worker placing his "willy" in her hand, and said she might have been scared to repeat false stories. She agreed that she had not been told she could refuse to talk to the Gardaí. The accused has pleaded not guilty to 23 counts of sexual assault spanning February 2015 to December 2016.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Girl tells creche trial she may have been telling untrue stories about accused. Charges or matters: eight counts of sexually assaulting her by licking her vagina; 23 counts of sexually assaulting the four girls on dates between February 2015 and December 2016. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Why: Mr Guerin asked the girl: "Would you agree with me that you have been telling people things about (the man) that weren't true, just because you thought they might be funny to your friends? CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed 29-year-old

Accused

Charges: eight counts of sexually assaulting her by licking her vagina; 23 counts of sexually assaulting the four girls on dates between February 2015 and December 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court

Topics

Sexual Offences Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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