A Louth man accused of sexually assaulting two children has claimed they were "coming on" to him while he was carrying out repairs in their home.
The defendant told a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sexual abuse of children was disgusting and denied admitting to gardai he had sexually assaulted the alleged victims.
It was the fourth day of the trial of the 60-year-old man, who denies two counts of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl and one count of sexually assaulting her nine-year-old brother at their home on December 11th, 1996.
The defendant told Mr Gerard Clarke SC, defending, he had agreed to carry out repairs in the children's family home. Their parents were absent and they were running around the house and throwing ping-pong balls at him. He caught the 12-year-girl by the shoulder when she took his wallet and she handed it back to him. He told them to stop messing.
On returning next day to continue his work, he was met by two detectives who said they were investigating complaints of sexual assault.
The trial continues before Judge Frank O'Donnell.