The jury in the trial of a former soldier who denies sexually assaulting a schoolgirl during 1993-94 will be addressed this morning by Mr Justice Geoghegan before retiring to deliberate on their verdicts.
The 47 year old Cork man has pleaded not guilty to two charges of sexually assaulting his daughter's then 13 year old friend by penetrating her with an object and four other charges of sexual assault.
During the six day trial, the girl told Mr Maurice Gaffney SC (with Mr Patrick McCarthy), prosecuting, that the man had touched her breasts and made her touch his private parts. She also claimed he twice penetrated her with an object.
The defendant admitted touching the girl in "harmless fun" and claimed he had not known that was a crime. The girl's mother was present any time he "messed" around with the girl, he said.
The trial continues.