A garda believed a girl alleging sexual abuse by her schoolfriend's father had a "true and verifiable complaint", a trial at the Central Criminal Court was told yesterday.
Garda Ann Cleary, of Anglesea Street Garda station in Cork, also described the girl (now 16) as being tearful and withdrawn when she saw her.
The garda was being cross examined by Mr Blaise O'Carroll SC, defending, on the third day of the trial of a 47 year old Cork man.
He has denied two charges of sexually assaulting his daughter's schoolfriend by penetrating her with an object, four other charges of sexual assault during 1993, and one in 1994.
Garda Cleary agreed the girl initially complained of the alleged offences to her mother in May 1994.
Her mother warned her that if she was using the allegations as a ploy to bring about a reunion with her estranged husband, they would not work. The woman also told gardai her daughter often told stories about other people.
In reply to Mr O'Carroll, Garda Cleary said she attached no great importance to the mother's claims about storytelling as she clarified her remarks by saying her daughter was crying and she "knew it was different this time".
The trial continues.