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.

He has been charged with 25 counts of indecently assaulting and one charge of raping the second complainant, her sister, from when she was seven to 12.

He is also charged with 10 counts of indecently assaulting the girls’ next door neighbour and attempting to rape her on one occasion when she was between eight and 13 years old.

Caroline Biggs SC, prosecuting, told the jury that the man moved into the family home of the two sisters for a time after his own parents died in the mid-1970s.

She said the first complainant, now aged 39, will give evidence that her uncle started to abuse her when she was about six. Ms Biggs said it was the State’s case that this abuse involved the man forcing his penis into the girl’s mouth, getting her to hold his penis, touching her genitals, and raping her.

She said the woman would testify that the abuse happened up to five times per week for six years.

Counsel said the woman’s older sister, aged 42, would also tell the jury that she was abused twice a week.

It is alleged that the abuse involved the man forcing the girl to perform oral sex on him, digital penetration of her vagina, and putting his penis near her anus.

Ms Biggs said the final complainant, aged 43, a friend of the older sister, would tell the jury she was also abused by the man on a least 10 occasions over the course of five years.

It is the State’s case that this abuse involved the man forcing the girl to perform oral sex on him, him performing oral sex on her and touching her vagina. There is also one allegation of attempted rape in relation to this woman.

The trial, which could last two weeks, continues.