Woman abused 40 years ago ‘didn’t question elders’

A Kerry woman who was sexually assaulted by her brother-in-law over 40 years ago has said she did not complain about what happened at the time because she “was taught not to question my elders”.

Reading her own victim impact statement to the court, the woman said her reporting of the abuse at the hands of a respected family member had a “devastating impact” on her family. “Some are supportive, but the majority find it hard to deal with,” and that she consequently “felt isolated and blamed”.

The 74-year-old man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the now 53-year-old woman, pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to 11 counts of indecent assault on various dates between January 1, 1971, and December 31, 1974.