The jury in a child abuse trial of three men and three women has been told the case against the children’s uncle’s partner has been withdrawn.
Addressing the jury on Thursday afternoon Mr Justice Paul McDermott said that he had been considering legal matters in the jurors’ absence and “there have been a number of developments”.
He said in respect of the children’s uncle’s partner the four charges against her were to be withdrawn and she would no longer be appearing as an accused person in the trial.
The 32-year-old woman had pleaded not guilty to four counts, including sexual assault and sexual exploitation at locations in Munster on unknown dates between August 18th, 2014 and April 28th, 2016.
Mr Justice McDermott said evidence was given in the trial by the children initially in respect of the woman’s involvement in matters in relation to the four charges laid against her.
He said the children were cross-examined during which the girl “effectively” withdrew the allegations against this woman, while her brother indicated that he was “probably mistaken” in the evidence he gave against the woman.
Mr Justice McDermott said the case will proceed against the remaining accused people.
He indicated that three charges against the children’s father had been withdrawn from their consideration, while one charge against their uncle and two charges against the third man were withdrawn.
Mr Justice McDermott told the jury it was his “responsibility to determine whether any particular count should remain before you as a result of the evidence in the trial.”
‘No evidence’
He said he was satisfied that there was “no evidence” to support the charges he had withdrawn in the trial.
Mr Justice McDermott said in relation to the number of charges he had withdrawn from the trial, “not guilty by direction of the trial judge” should be entered beside each of those counts.
“You simply accept that as the verdict as a matter of law,” he said.
The remaining five family members, who can’t be named for legal reasons, are accused of abusing three children between 2014 and 2016. The accused are the parents, aunt and uncles of the children. They range in ages from 27 to 56 and live in various locations in Munster.
The parents are also accused of neglecting five of their children. All of the accused have denied the charges against them.
Reporting restrictions are in place to protect the welfare and identities of the children.
The trial continues before Mr Justice McDermott.