Trial of man accused of abusing his children nears close

The Central Criminal Court trial of a Dublin father accused of sexually abusing three of his children has reached its closing stages.

The 73-year-old accused man has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting and raping two daughters between the ages of four and 11 and sexually assaulting his son from the age of three to six at various locations from 1995 to 2002.

The jury of eight men and four women has already heard closing speeches from prosecuting counsel, Ms Isobel Kennedy SC (with Ms Anne Marie Lawlor BL) and defence counsel, Mr Blaise O’Carroll SC (with Mr Keith Spencer BL and Mr Tom Neville BL).

Mr Justice George Birmingham has now begun his charge to the jurors which he will continue tomorrow afternoon. The trial has now entered its seventh week.