Parents Face 40 Charges In Incest, Sexual Abuse & Cruelty Case

A husband and wife have been charged with incest, sexual abuse and with the neglect and cruelty of their six children. The married couple were arrested yesterday morning and brought before Castlerea District Court.

The two, who cannot be named for legal reasons, face 40 charges between them in relation to the neglect, cruelty and sexual abuse of the children.

The abuse is alleged to have taken place over a period of four years during the last decade when the children were aged between four and 15.

The woman, who is aged in her 30s, faces a charge of incest against one of her sons and of sexually abusing the same son.

Sgt John Hynes of Castlerea Garda Station told Judge Geoffrey Browne that he arrested the woman at 6.10am yesterday.

The woman appeared in court wearing a long, dark-blue suit jacket with matching trousers.

Sgt Hynes told the court that the accused replied “no” when asked if she had anything to say after he first charged her with two of the 14 charges brought against her.

He said that when charged with the remaining 12 offences, the woman said she was “guilty” and that “I want to plead guilty to the other two as well”.

Sgt Hynes said he arrested the man, who was also in court, at 8.10am yesterday.

The man, in his 50s was dressed in light green cords, a white jumper and a grey shirt.

He was charged yesterday with 26 charges in relation to the neglect, cruelty and sexual abuse of the six children.

Sgt Hynes said the man replied “not guilty” to all charges when they were read to him.

Sgt Hynes said he had no objection to bail being granted to both of the accused and made an application that they both sign on at a named garda station two days every week.

The woman was ordered not to make contact with any of the injured parties named on the charge sheets or that the children be contacted by anyone acting on her behalf.

The man was also ordered not to make contact with the injured parties or to have any dealings with the injured parties.

Judge Browne remanded the man and woman on bail of €100 each and ordered them to appear again at Castlerea District Court on December 12.