Woman can proceed with action claiming that brother raped her

A woman may proceed with her action for damages against one of her brothers over allegedly raping and sexually assaulting her between the ages of 8 and 12 in the family home in Dublin, the Court of Appeal has ruled.

Now aged in her forties, the woman alleges her father beat her and told her she was “dangerous” after she told him of the alleged abuse at the time it was happening. Her father, aged in his late 70s, denies she told him of any abuse.

The brother denies the claims and previously secured a High Court order halting the action against him on grounds his right to a fair trial was prejudiced due to inordinate and inexcusable delay by the woman in prosecuting her claim.