Ireland Supreme Court to consider privacy rights of alleged sexual violence victims
A man in his late 60s, who was an adult at the time, is accused of indecent assault on a female alleged victim aged between four and 14, in incidents alleged to have occurred in the 1970s and 1980s when he was minding her and her siblings. The sources do not give his name, nationality or the location, and he denies all the allegations. He faces eight counts of indecent assault under section 6 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1935 and 10 counts under section 10 of the Criminal Law (Rape) Act 1981. The High Court directed that he be given information about the alleged victim's claims before the trial could proceed, but the Court of Appeal overruled those orders and held that discovery issues should be dealt with by the criminal court overseeing the trial. The latest development is that the Supreme Court is due to hear his appeal on April 25th, including whether alleged victims of sexual violence have a right to be protected from inquiry into prior similar alleged incidents.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court14 Feb
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A man in his late 60s is accused of indecent assault on a female alleged victim.
- When
- The alleged incidents occurred in the 1970s and 1980s, when the alleged victim was aged between four and 14.
- Other details
- The accused was an adult at the time and was minding the alleged victim and her siblings.
- The accused denies all of the allegations and maintains his innocence.
- Charges
- The man is facing eight counts of indecent assault under section 6 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1935 and 10 counts of indecent assault under section 10 of the Criminal Law (Rape) Act 1981.
- In court
- The High Court directed that the man be furnished with a range of information about the alleged victim's claims, and the trial was not to proceed without it.
- The Court of Appeal overruled the High Court orders and held that discovery and information issues should be dealt with by the criminal court overseeing the trial.
- The Supreme Court is to consider whether alleged victims of sexual violence have any right to be protected from inquiry into prior alleged incidents of a similar kind, and whether there is any privacy exception or psychotherapeutic privilege.
- The man's appeal to the Supreme Court is scheduled for April 25th.
7 statements extracted from the articles
- whenThe alleged incidents occurred in the 1970s and 1980s, when the girl was aged between four and 14. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe man wants to prevent his trial on eight counts of indecent assault and 10 counts of indecent assault. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Supreme Court is to consider whether alleged victims of sexual violence have any right to be protected from inquiry into prior alleged incidents of a similar kind. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe High Court directed that the man be furnished with a range of information about the alleged victim's claims, and the trial was not to proceed without it. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal overruled the High Court orders and held that discovery and information issues should be dealt with by the criminal court overseeing the trial. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe man's appeal is scheduled for April 25th. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused denies all of the allegations and maintains his innocence. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 14 Feb2024Supreme Court to consider whether alleged sexual violence victims have certain privacy rights
Reports that the Supreme Court will hear the accused man's appeal on April 25th, which raises questions about privacy and judicial review in the case. It also describes the earlier High Court and Court of Appeal rulings.
accused, late 60s, malevictim, female