The 21-year-old Co Wexford man charged with raping his 12-year-old niece denied her allegations in evidence to the jury at the Central Criminal Court yesterday. He said, in reply to his counsel, Mr Denis Vaughan Buckley SC, he never sexually interfered with her. She came to his 21st birthday party some weeks ago and greeted him with a kiss. She was always friendly and spoke to him when she visited his home at weekends or during the summer.
The accused gave his evidence on the third day of his trial. He denies raping and sexually assaulting her between 1995 and 1997. Cross-examined by Ms Miriam Reynolds SC, prosecuting, he agreed there had been rumours about the alleged offences for some time before he was arrested but they had not bothered him until then. He knew he had not done anything wrong.
The hearing continues.