Dayo Ade Olusola|M10news|Crime|5 November 2025
A deaf woman has told the Central Criminal Court that she was raped by her uncle, during the trial of seven men accused of sexually abusing her over a 17-year period
The woman, who is in her early 20s at the time of the alleged attack, said the assault occurred in her uncle’s apartment.
The man, 55, referred to in court as Accused A, faces one count of rape between December 2009 and April 2011.
Seven men, aged between 32 and 55, are on trial over a total of 98 charges of sexual abuse spanning from 1996 to 2013.
The accused include three uncles and four brothers of the woman. One of her brothers faces additional charges of sexually abusing another sister and anally raping a third sister.
All seven men deny the charges against them. Legal restrictions prevent the naming of the parties involved.
The woman is being assisted in giving evidence by two interpreters – an Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpreter and a deaf relay – as well as a linguistics expert serving as an intermediary.
Prosecutor Gerardine Small SC told the court that the alleged incident involving Accused A occurred in his apartment.
The woman explained that she panicked and ran downstairs immediately after the assault began.
When asked by Ms Small why she panicked, the woman initially used the term “the r word,” later clarifying she meant rape.
She further explained the incident, saying: “Sex… vagina,” describing that her uncle’s penis was inserted into her without her consent.
She told the jury she said to him: “No, don’t do that, fuck off,” and asked, “What are you doing?”
The woman described the act as “very painful” and said it occurred without a condom, leaving her bleeding and in discomfort.
She said she had consumed four WKD Blues and fell asleep, only to wake and panic as the assault began.
The trial is expected to last four months and is being heard by an extended jury panel of 15 members.
Accused B, a 48-year-old uncle, faces eight counts, including rape, oral rape, and anal rape, between December 2008 and December 2010.
Four of the woman’s younger brothers are also facing multiple charges of sexual abuse spanning several years.
Accused C, 34, is charged with 45 counts against the woman, including 22 counts of rape and 23 counts of anal rape between 2001 and 2013.
Accused C is further accused of sexually abusing two of his younger sisters, including one count of sexual assault, two counts of rape, and one count of anal rape between 2013 and 2019.
He also faces charges for anally raping a third sister between 2013 and 2014.
Accused D, 33, is facing 22 counts of sexual abuse over an 11-year period, denying 19 rapes and three counts of anal rape.
Accused E, 32, is charged with 16 counts against his sister over eight years, denying nine counts of anal rape and seven counts of rape.
Another brother, Accused F, also 32, has denied five counts, including three counts of anal rape and two counts of rape between 2007 and 2010.
Accused G, 45, is charged with one count of rape between 1996 and 1997 and denies the allegation.
The case has highlighted the complexity of familial abuse cases, particularly when victims have communication challenges such as deafness.
Court procedures have been adapted to ensure the woman can give her evidence accurately, including the use of multiple interpreters.
The allegations cover a long time span, demonstrating patterns of abuse within the family network, according to prosecutors.
The woman has provided detailed testimony about each accused and the circumstances of the abuse.
Her evidence includes descriptions of multiple incidents, dates, and interactions, which are being considered alongside corroborating material and expert testimony.
Legal representatives for the accused maintain their clients’ innocence, questioning the reliability of certain claims and seeking to ensure a fair trial.
The court continues to hear evidence, with witnesses including family members, experts, and interpreters expected to give testimony in the coming weeks.
Prosecutors argue that the charges reflect systemic abuse over nearly two decades, with the accused exploiting familial trust.
The trial is ongoing and is set to continue for several months as both prosecution and defence present their cases.
This report complies with M10News Editorial Standards for factual accuracy and originality © 2025 M10News
