Man, 64, charged with 16 counts of sexually assaulting Cork girl told court: 'It never happened'

Defendant refused solicitor said there would be no signed plea of guilty because he said again that sex assault never happened

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed trial by indictment on the charges or that the accused could enter a signed plea guilty at Cork District Court and go forward for sentencing at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. Picture: Larry Cummins

A 64-year-old man was arrested and charged with 16 counts of sexually assaulting a girl over a three-year period but he repeated several times in court: “It never happened.” Detective Garda John O’Donovan formally arrested the 64-year-old for the purpose of charging and brought him before Cork District Court.

The accused man was cautioned that he did not have to make any reply but that whatever reply he might make would be taken down and given in evidence.