Parents in sex abuse case plead not guilty

A Waterford man and woman sexually abused and exploited their son when he was aged between five and nine, it has been alleged at the Central Criminal Court.

The father is also accused of raping him, including with a poker, over the four-year period. The parents deny the charges and told gardaí the boy was a “difficult child” who had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and behavioural problems.

They face a total of 82 charges of abuse between 2007 and 2011 in Waterford. They have pleaded not guilty to 16 counts each of sexual exploitation and one charge each of child cruelty. The mother has also denied 16 counts of sexual assault, while the father denies 16 counts of anal rape and 16 counts of sexual assault with a poker.