Man denied in garda interview that he abused his sister, trial hears

A Cork man denied sexually abusing his sister during garda interview and requested a break because he thought her allegations were “sick”, a trial has heard.

“That is disgusting. I can’t even believe she has said things like that,” the accused told gardaí before denying a number of specific allegations contained in his sister’s statement.

The 33-year-old accused has pleaded not guilty to 13 counts of rape, sexual assault and attempted rape of his sister who is eight years younger than him. The alleged abuse took place between February 1995 and August 2000.

The woman claimed the alleged offences occurred in various rooms of the family home, in an ambulance and in the accused’s car.

Earlier the complainant told the jury that she reported her brother to gardaí for molesting her because his daughter was reaching the same age as she was when the abuse started.

“I could not risk destroying her life, like he did to me,” the woman said.

When asked by Martin Giblin SC, defending, about her behaviour while she was in the presence of her brother at family occasions, the woman agreed that she acted normally.

“I had to pretend there was nothing wrong. Do you know what it’s like everyday to live a lie and finally get the courage to speak out and get justice to make sure this animal does not touch another child?” the complainant replied.

The investigating garda in the case agreed with Tim O’Leary SC, prosecuting, that the accused came voluntarily to the station in March 2009 after his sister reported the alleged abuse the previous November.

She said he denied each and every allegation that was put to him and generally replied “absolutely not” when gardaí asked did it happen as his sister had described.

At one stage he asked gardaí; “What sick game is she trying to play, like?” and suggested “these things were obviously in her head”.

The garda agreed that half-way through the first interview the accused requested a break and apologised to gardaí.

“I am sorry but I need a break or a cigarette because these allegations are making me feel sick,” the man told gardaí.

The man also asked gardaí on a number of occasions for specific dates and times so “I can offer my defence”.

He denied that he came home from work during his lunch break on one occasion to abuse his sister and gave gardaí permission to check the clocking in cards for the company at the time.

When asked by gardaí if all the allegations were false, the accused replied “absolutely”.

The garda agreed with Mr Giblin that his client fully co-operated with the garda investigation.

The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Carney and a jury of seven men and five women.