Woman takes civil action against brother for alleged rape and assault

A woman who claims she was raped and sexually and physically abused over four years by one of her brothers in their family home has brought a civil action for damages against him.

The woman told her father about the assaults at the time but she was not believed and was beaten, Sasha Gayer SC, for the woman, told the High Court. Afterwards, she felt like an “outcast” from the family, Ms Gayer added.

The woman became upset while telling the jury she believed the abuse began around the time of her First Communion, when she was aged eight. She was one of eight children and believed her brother was about 16. She said the abuse could happen any time of the day and she could not remember particular dates or times. “Any chance he could, he would.”

Now in her 40s, the woman has sued her brother over the alleged rape and assaults on her from 1976 to 1980 in the family home. The brother denies all the claims.

The claim is for damages for alleged rape and assaults, battery, abuse, false imprisonment, breach of duty and breach of rights. Ms Gayer said the woman was traumatised by the assaults, still experienced psychological symptoms and flashbacks and a psychologist would tell the court she suffered post traumatic stress disorder.

The case is before Mr Justice Colm Mac Eochaidh and a jury and is listed to run for four days.