Woman claims in court five sisters did not know of sexual abuse

A 20-year-old woman told a social worker that none of her five sisters knew that the others were being sexually abused during their childhood, a court has heard.

The woman has told a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that her mother’s former boyfriend would abuse her while forcing her to watch pornographic films.

She is the second youngest of six alleged victims of the man.

The accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has pleaded not guilty to 62 counts of sexually assaulting the six girls at their home on dates between 1995 and 2005.

Giollaiosa O Lideadha SC, defending, asked the woman about a statement she gave to a social worker where she allegedly said that none of her sisters knew the others were being abused.

He said that this meant she didn’t know about her sisters being abused and that nobody else knew that she was being abused.

The woman told Mary Rose Gearty SC, prosecuting, that she was aged eight and had just made her communion when the abuse began.

She said the accused would call her into her mother’s bedroom and have her lie between him and her sister. She said she saw his penis and he would sometimes wear a chain and belt around it.

Asked if he did anything else with his penis, she said no at first but added that he would put it in her mouth. She said he would give her €2 after.

During cross examination, Mr O Lideadha asked her why she had initially said no to the question and she said that she thought the question was about vaginal sex.

The trial continues in front of Judge Desmond Hogan and a jury of six men and five women.