A Co Cavan father denied in the Central Criminal Court that he raped and indecently assaulted his daughter into her teenage years.
He said yesterday her allegations were untrue and the evidence she gave was all lies. He denied he "poured drink" into her as a teenager, but said she took to drugs and drink when she fell in love with a boyfriend who later committed suicide.
Replying to his counsel, Mr Felix McEnroy SC, the defendant suggested the reason she made her allegations was that she had had a lot of trouble in her life and wanted to take it out on someone. He said his family blamed him for the death in a road accident of her brother, who crashed into a tree after leaving their home with a shotgun in the car.
The 54-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of raping his daughter on dates from May 1991 to March 1997. He also denies four charges of indecently assaulting her and one of sexual assault on dates from February 1987 to May 1995.
The accused denied he made a promise to his daughter not to abuse her any further when she moved into a flat with him after she had a row with her mother.
Counsel for the prosecution and defence have addressed the jury, which will begin its deliberation after Mr Justice Carney has charged it. A verdict is expected today.