Ireland Donegal child cruelty trial jury discharged over undisclosed Tusla files
A County Donegal couple faced a combined 23 charges, including child cruelty, child exploitation and child sexual assault, relating to alleged offences against children. Their trial began on January 23 at a special sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court before Judge Jonathan Dunphy. After the prosecution closed its case, issues over disclosure of Tusla files were raised, and Judge Dunphy discharged the jury on the tenth day of the sitting. The matter was directed to the earliest available date, and the accused pair were remanded on bail on the same terms and conditions.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court15 Feb
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A County Donegal couple faced a combined 23 charges.
- Charges
- The charges include child cruelty, child exploitation and child sexual assault.
- Where
- The case was heard at a special sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court.
- When
- The trial began on January 23.
- Sources differ on timing: the trial was in its fourth week when the jury was discharged, and the discharge came on the tenth day of the sitting.
- In court
- Judge Jonathan Dunphy presided over the trial.
- Judge Dunphy formally discharged the jury.
- Judge Dunphy directed that the matter be put back to the earliest available date.
- The accused pair were remanded on bail on the same terms and conditions.
- Cause
- After the prosecution closed its case, issues of disclosure over Tusla files were raised.
- It was claimed that allegations relating to foster carers were among files not disclosed.
- Investigation
- A detective garda said no complaints were made to gardaí about any of the witnesses.
- Other details
- No forensic evidence was offered in the case.
- The accused and the location of the alleged offences cannot be reported to protect the children's identity.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- investigationA detective garda said no complaints were made to gardaí about any of the witnesses. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeThe couple faced a combined 23 charges. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeThe charges include child cruelty, child exploitation and child sexual assault. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe case was heard before Judge Jonathan Dunphy at a special sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe trial began on January 23 and was in its fourth week when the jury was discharged. (donegallive.ie)
- courtJudge Dunphy formally discharged the jury on the tenth day of the sitting. (donegallive.ie)
- courtJudge Dunphy directed that the matter be put into the earliest available date. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe accused pair were remanded on bail on the same terms and conditions. (donegallive.ie)
- otherIssues of disclosure over Tusla files were raised. (donegallive.ie)
- otherIt was claimed after the prosecution's case closed that allegations relating to foster carers were among files not disclosed. (donegallive.ie)
- otherNo forensic evidence was offered in the case. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe accused and the location of the alleged offences cannot be reported to protect the children's identity. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 15 Feb2024Donegal child cruelty jury discharged as issues raised over disclosure of Tusla files
Court report: the jury was discharged after disclosure issues over Tusla and foster care files were raised after the prosecution closed its case. The matter was put back for the earliest available date and the accused were remanded on bail. No existing case matches this trial.
accused, femaleaccused, male