A former publican accused of sexually assaulting a girl over a period of time while she worked in his pub told a High Court jury yesterday that never in his life had he put his hand on any girl.
Mr William Bonny, a building contractor and former co-owner of the Bonny and Clyde pub at Newmarket, Dublin, was giving evidence in an action taken by Ms Monica Reilly, of South Brown Street, Dublin.
Ms Reilly claims she was sexually assaulted over a period by Mr Bonny when she worked in the Bonny and Clyde pub.
Yesterday, on the fifth day of the hearing before Mr Justice Kelly and a jury, Ms Reilly's case concluded and Mr Bonny (52) took the witness box. In answer to his counsel, Mr Martin Giblin SC, Mr Bonny said he had never assaulted Ms Reilly and never "laid a hand on her". He did not make remarks to Ms Reilly and did not "graduate" to touching her.
When Mr Giblin said that Ms Reilly claimed the touching became more serious, Mr Bonny denied ever having put his hand on any girl.
He said he had two daughters he adored and two daughters-in-law.
He said he was approached on one occasion by the pub's assistant manager, Mr Christy Boyle, who had said Ms Reilly had complained that another worker, Mr Eddie Dowdall, was "touching her up on the backside and wouldn't leave her alone".
Mr Bonny said he approached Mr Dowdall with Mr Boyle and said: "Monica complained to Christy that you were feeling her backside". Mr Dowdall had knocked Mr Boyle out.
"I said, `There is no need to get violent, there was a complaint made and I have to ask you as owner of the pub'," Mr Bonny said.
Earlier, Dr George Mullett, a psychiatrist in St James's Hospital, Dublin, said he had a suspicion that friends visiting Monica Reilly during her second admission to the hospital might be involved with drugs.
Dr Mullett said he considered certain people visiting Monica to be unsuitable and barred visitors except family.
The first time he saw Ms Reilly in hospital she was very ill, very low in her mood and very anorexic.
The second time she had been involved with drugs, was suicidal and mutilated herself.
Mr Martin Giblin SC, for Mr Bonny, asked if an issue arose as to Ms Reilly frequently visiting a male ward. Dr Mullett said he thought that had happened and they had to advise the patient to stay away and curtail her activities.
He could not recall what she was doing but generally if female patients were becoming overly familiar with male patients one would issue this instruction. This was a mixed psychiatric ward.
Mr Giblin asked if Ms Reilly had a pregnancy test during her second stay in hospital. Dr Mullett said there was a consultation because he thought the patient reported she swallowed a razor blade.
There was a hospital note which referred to a pregnancy test. He did not know what this meant but it could be that she had loss of her period because of anorexia.
The hearing continues today.