A Co. Galway couple will appear in court in Athenry next Tuesday charged with cruelty, rape and neglect of their children. The couple, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Ennis District Court on 29 December. Gardai told Judge Joseph Mangan that the couple could face hundreds more charges.

Supt Enda Walshe told the court the charges before the court were serious. "But they face further charges, possibly running into the hundreds," he said.

The 48-year old man is charged with raping four of his daughters and neglect and cruelty towards a son between 1997 and April of this year, while his wife faces a total of 18 charges of cruelty and neglect of her children between May 2002 and June of this year.

Galway gardai told the court the couple have moved addresses numerous times in recent months, were difficult to locate and that they do not believe they would turn up to court if bail was granted.

A daughter of the couple said she withdrew a statement of allegations against her parents in 2001 because they threatened to kill themselves and promised it would never happen again, but it did.

Both accused gave evidence denying the charges and said they never intimidated their daughters into withdrawing previous statements.

Judge Joseph Mangan denied bail and remanded the couple in custody to appear before Athenry District Court on 12 January.

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment