Man accused of raping two nieces and their friend

A man has gone on trial charged with raping and sexually abusing his nieces in their family home and abusing their neighbour over a period of eight years.

The accused has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to 91 charges of rape, attempted rape, and indecent assault against the three girls in a Carlow town between Feb 1978 and Dec 1986.

The man has been charged with 28 counts of indecently assaulting and 26 charges of raping the first complainant from the ages of six to 13.