Clare man accused of indecently assaulting orphans in 1970s

A 92-year-old man from County Clare is facing eight counts of indecently assaulting two orphan girls in his care between July 1973 and January 1975. The case was heard at Ennis Circuit Court, where it was revealed that the accused previously paid €70,000 in November 2024 to settle civil claims related to the allegations.

One of the complainants, now 61, testified that the settlement was distributed as €30,000 to her, €30,000 to her sister, and €10,000 to their Dublin-based solicitor for legal costs. The complainant stated she sought legal counsel in 2024 following advice from the charity One in Four.

Defense counsel Patrick Whyms BL stated that the client denies all charges and that the civil settlement was reached without any admission of liability. The accused, who appeared in court in a mobility scooter, was aged between 39 and 40 at the time of the alleged offences.