TWO MEN HAVE been charged in relation to more than 70 counts of rape, sexual assault and attempted rape against two victims who were children at the time of the offences.

The accused, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared before Fermoy District Court in County Cork today. 

The men, who are aged 68 and 67 years old, were charged after an investigation by the Divisional Protective Services Unit. 

The court heard that there are two alleged victims in the cases. 

The 68 year old is charged with a total of 73 counts which are alleged to have taken place between dates between 1997 to 2000. 

A breakdown of the offences are counts of sexual assault, counts of rape under Section 4 Criminal Law (Rape) Act 1990, and a count of attempted rape. 

Detective Garda Linda Lyons gave evidence of charging the accused who replied to one of the charges “100%, did not happen” and then made no reply to the remaining counts. 

In regard to the second accused, a man aged 67, he is accused of nine alleged counts which are broken down as sexual assaults, three rapes under Section 4 Criminal Law (Rape) Act 1990 and attempted rape – all, it is claimed, took place on dates between 1993 and 1997. 

He was also arrested this morning by gardaí and Det Gda Lyons gave evidence of charging that suspect, who made no reply after caution.

In both cases, which were heard together before Judge Elizabeth Healy, Inspector Tony O’Sullivan said that there was no objection to bail and asked the court to remand both men to 9 January, 2026 when a Book of Evidence will be presented to them. This was granted.

The prosecuting inspector asked that the Judge impose bail conditions on both defendants which were to sign on weekly at a garda station, to surrender their passports, give the gardaí a mobile phone number to be contacted, to not contact the victims either directly or indirectly and that includes via social media.

He also asked that they be ordered not to participate in any clubs at any age level or in any capacity. This was granted by Judge Healy.

The Judge also made an order that no details be published in the media that would identify the victims.

Joe Cuddigan, who is representing both men consented to the adjournment and said that he was not making any applications for legal aid but would later. 

The Inspector said that both men would be sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court.