Six charged over sex abuse of girl (14)

Six youths have been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault and having sex with a 14-year-old girl.

It is alleged the girl was abused by the youths, whose ages range from 17 to 19, on four dates in March and February 2010, at three locations in Co. Kildare.

The six, who are non-nationals, appeared at the Dublin Children's Court after they were arrested this morning. The teens, who cannot be identified, have been charged with sexual assault and having sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 17.

Garda Paul Carney told Judge Clare Leonard that they “made no reply” to caution and the DPP has directed that all six should face “trial on indictment”.

Gda Carney had no objection to bail but asked for conditions to be placed on the youths who were accompanied to the hearing by members of their families.

Judge Leonard remanded the four adult youths, who aged over 18, to appear at Dublin District Court in December when they are to be served with books of evidence.

Defence solicitor Mathew Byrne said that in relation to the two juvenile defendants, submissions would be made under Section 75 of the Children Act.

This allows the Children's Court to consider accepting jurisdiction for a case involving serious allegations by taking into consideration the age and level of maturity of a juvenile defendant.

Judge Leonard ordered that the hearing to determine the venue for both 17-year-old boys' trial would be held in December.

She set bail conditions on the six teens compelling them to obey curfews at their homes, to sign on daily at their nearest Garda station, and “not have any contact directly or indirectly” with the complainant or members of her family.

They were also ordered to surrender their passports and not to apply for any other travel documents.

They spoke briefly during the case to confirm they were seeking legal aid and that they understood the bail terms.

Judge Leonard told them and their family that gardai would be calling to their addresses to check the curfew is being obeyed. They faced “serious offences”, she said, and risked being held in custody pending trial if they broke the bail conditions.

The youngest defendant is a 17-year-old boy whom Judge Leonard heard was aged 16 at time of the alleged incidents. He faces three counts of sexual assault of the girl at his home address and at another location on two dates in March 2010. He also faces two counts of having sex with her.

The second juvenile defendant, a 17-year-old, faces eight charges including four counts of sexual assault of the girl on three dates last year and four allegations that he had sex with her.

The three adults in the case include an 18-year-old youth, who was aged 16 at the time of the incidents. He is accused of three counts of having sex with the girl and two allegations of sexual assault.

The second 18-year-old faces two counts of sexual assault and one allegation of having sex with the complainant. He was also aged 16 when the alleged incidents happened. The third 18-year-old is accused of having sex with the girl twice.

The eldest defendant, a 19-year-old, who was aged 17 at the time, is accused of having sex with her twice and he also faces one allegation of sexual assault.