Friday 30 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 11424Sexual abuse

Woman tells familial abuse trial she is telling the truth

A deaf woman says she was raped by her uncle and alleges abuse by seven male relatives at various stages between 1996 and 2013. The defence has put to her that she did not tell gardaí about the abuse until 2021. The seven defendants, aged 32 to 55, have pleaded not guilty to a combined 103 charges, 98 of which relate to her. On 22 January 2026 she was being cross-examined at the Central Criminal Court by Michael Hourigan SC, defending Accused A, and the trial continues.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court22 Jan
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A woman says she was raped by her uncle and has told the trial she is telling the truth.
  • The woman is deaf and gives evidence by video link through two interpreters and an intermediary.
When
The abuse is alleged to have happened at various stages over a 17-year period between 1996 and 2013.
Investigation
The defence put it to the woman that she did not tell gardaí about the alleged abuse by her uncle until 2021.
Charges
  • The seven defendants, aged 32 to 55, are her four younger brothers and three uncles, and have pleaded not guilty to a combined 103 charges.
  • 98 of the 103 charges relate to the deaf complainant.
  • Accused A, aged 55 and an uncle, is accused of a single count of raping the woman between December 2009 and April 2011 and has denied the charge.
  • Accused B, aged 48 and another uncle, is accused of eight counts of rape, oral rape and anal rape between December 2008 and December 2010 and has denied them.
  • Accused C, aged 34, is accused of 45 counts, 22 of rape and 23 of anal rape, over 2001 to 2013, and of sexual assault and rape charges involving two sisters between 2005 and 2019.
  • Accused D, aged 33, is accused of 22 counts of sexual abuse between 2002 and 2013 and has pleaded not guilty to 19 rape counts and three anal rape counts.
  • Accused E, aged 32, is accused of 16 counts of sexual abuse between 2003 and 2011 and has denied them.
  • Accused F, aged 32, has denied five counts, three of anal rape and two of rape, between 2007 and 2010.
  • Accused G, aged 45, has denied a single count of raping the woman between 1996 and 1997.
In court
  • The trial of the seven men is before the Central Criminal Court.
  • Michael Hourigan SC, defending Accused A, is cross-examining the woman, and the trial continues.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA woman says she was raped by her uncle and told the trial she is telling the truth. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe abuse is alleged to have happened at various stages over a 17-year period between 1996 and 2013. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe defence put it to the woman that she did not tell gardaí about the alleged abuse by her uncle until 2021. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe seven defendants have pleaded not guilty to a combined 103 charges, 98 of which relate to the deaf complainant. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeAccused A, aged 55 and her uncle, is accused of a single count of raping her between December 2009 and April 2011 and has denied the charge. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeAccused B, aged 48 and another uncle, is accused of eight counts of rape, oral rape and anal rape between December 2008 and December 2010 and has denied them. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeAccused C, aged 34, is accused of 45 counts, 22 of rape and 23 of anal rape, over 2001 to 2013. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeAccused C is also charged with sexual assault of one sister and with rape and anal rape of another sister between 2005 and 2019. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeAccused D, aged 33, is accused of 22 counts of sexually abusing his sister between 2002 and 2013 and has pleaded not guilty to 19 rape counts and three anal rape counts. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeAccused E, aged 32, is accused of 16 counts of sexual abuse against his sister between 2003 and 2011 and has denied them. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeAccused F, aged 32, has denied five counts, three of anal rape and two of rape of his sister between 2007 and 2010. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeAccused G, aged 45, has denied a single count of raping the woman between 1996 and 1997. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe woman is being cross-examined in the trial of seven men accused of familial abuse. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case is before the Central Criminal Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtMichael Hourigan SC, defending the first defendant, Accused A, is cross-examining the woman. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe trial continues. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe woman gives evidence by video link through two interpreters and an intermediary. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Jan2026
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Woman tells familial abuse trial she is telling the truth

    Court report on the cross-examination of the complainant in the trial of seven male relatives, with the charges against each defendant and the defence's line of questioning. The article does not state the county.

    victim, femalevictim, femalevictim, femaleaccused, 55, maleaccused, 48, maleaccused, 34, maleaccused, 33, maleaccused, 32, maleaccused, 32, maleaccused, 45, male