A LEITRIM man who admitted sexually assaulting his two daughters and a son in February now wants to revert back to a not guilty stance, the Central Criminal Court heard yesterday.
As a result, the defendant's legal team, headed by Mr Barry White SC, was granted permission to withdraw from the case.
Mr Justice Feargus Flood fixed the case for mention on April 29th and told the 36-year-old man to retain a new solicitor and counsel, and the court would examine whether he was entitled to change his plea.
On February 24th, the man, who cannot be named, pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a daughter in 1992; to indecently assaulting his son in 1993; and to sexually assaulting his second daughter in September of that year. The victims were under 15.
Initially, the man had pleaded not guilty to eight counts, including charges of raping and having unlawful carnal knowledge of one girl. A jury was sworn in but before the trial started he was rearraigned and admitted the three offences. Mr White requested the preparation of a psychiatric report on him.
On April 7th, Mr White sought a week's adjournment of the Sentence hearing, for his solicitor to receive written instructions from his client on the last line of the report, which was causing him "certain difficulties".
Yesterday, Mr White said the man's instructions were to apply to change his plea, putting counsel in a "most invidious position".
Mr Peter Charleton SC (with Mr George Birmingham), prosecuting, said the State would oppose any attempt by the defendant to change his guilty plea.