A MAN was hugged by loved ones in court after he was acquitted by a jury of multiple charges of sexual assault on a young girl.
The man, who cannot legally be named, pleaded not guilty to 22 counts of sexual assault.
At Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, the jury returned unanimous not guilty charges on all counts following a trial.
The man had been accused of touching the girl’s breasts on 22 occasions between 2016 and 2017.
An allegation that he invited, indicted, or coerced the girl to observe a sexual, indecent, or obscene act for the purpose of corrupting or depraving her, namely inviting the girl to watch pornography on his mobile phone and then masturbating in front of the child, was withdrawn by the State.
The judge said trials of a sexual nature involving children were “difficult” for everyone involved and thanked the jury for their “diligence, attention, and hard work”.
The judge warned the jury not to disclose the identities of the parties involved as they might find themselves in “legal hot water”.
“You must be mindful of that. (The accused) walks free from this court innocent,” said the judge.
The judge excused the 12 jurors from jury service for a period of three years.
The man was discharged from the dock and released from court without charge.
He was hugged by supporters in the court afterwards.
When asked if he wanted to make any comment, the man said he had no wish to do so.