Courts / Dublin / Report
Jury fails to reach verdict in sibling abuse case
Summary
A jury has failed to reach a verdict in the trial of two brothers accused of sexually abusing their younger brothers over 40 years ago. The trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard allegations that the defendants repeatedly abused the two children between 1979 and 1988. The eldest brother, now aged 55, pleaded not guilty to 35 sample counts of indecently assaulting his two younger brothers on dates between 1979 and 1985. The second oldest brother, now aged 50, pleaded not guilty to 16 sample counts of indecently assaulting his younger brother between 1985 and 1988. On day six of the trial, the jury of seven women and five men deliberated for just under five hours before the foreperson told Judge James McCourt that they were unable to reach a verdict, stating they were 'deadlocked'. Judge McCourt had earlier directed jurors that the court could accept a majority verdict on which at least ten of them agreed. He thanked the jurors for their service and had been addressing the jury via video-link from his home where he is social isolating because of a close contact with somebody who has Covid 19. After discharging the jury, Judge McCourt remanded the defendants on continuing bail to appear at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on October 12th.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jury fails to reach verdict in sibling abuse case. Charges or matters: 35 sample counts of indecently assaulting his two younger brothers on dates between 1979 and 1985; 16 sample counts of indecently assaulting his younger brother between 1985 and 1988; indecently assaulting his two younger brothers; indecently assaulting his younger brother. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- October 12th Adjournment
- 1979 and 1988 Incident
- 1979 and 1985 Other
- 1985 and 1988 Other
- 2020-09-14 Publication
Why: He had been addressing the jury via video-link from his home where he is social isolating because of a close contact with somebody who has Covid 19, After discharging the jury, Judge McCourt remanded the defendants on continuing bail to appear at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on October 12th. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: 35 sample counts of indecently assaulting his two younger brothers on dates between 1979 and 1985; 16 sample counts of indecently assaulting his younger brother between 1985 and 1988 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: He had been addressing the jury via video-link from his home where he is social isolating because of a close contact with somebody who has Covid 19, After discharging the jury, Judge McCourt remanded the defendants on continuing bail to appear at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on October 12th.
Defendant
Charges: indecently assaulting his two younger brothers (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: remanded on continuing bail
Defendant
Charges: indecently assaulting his younger brother (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: remanded on continuing bail
Places mentioned
Topics
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