A MARRIED couple from Donegal are to face a trial after being charged with sexually exploiting a child.
A book of evidence has been served on the couple, who cannot be named for legal reasons,
The Director of Public Prosecutions has consented to both the accused being sent for trial at the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court, which commences in April.
The two face three identical charges related to a date unknown between January 2015 and May 2016.
The couple are each charged with sexually exploiting a child and also with sexually assaulting a child.
They face a further charge under section 246 of the Children Ac,t 2000, which deals with cruelty to children having been charged with, while having the custody, charge or care of a child wilfully to assault, ill-treat, neglect, abandon or expose the child, or cause or procure or allow the child to be assaulted, ill-treated, neglected, abandoned or exposed, in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to the child’s health or seriously to affect his or her wellbeing.
The couple, who are both currently on bail, were present for a brief hearing before Judge Paul Kelly at Buncrana District Court.
Judge Kelly assigned Mr Frank Murphy for one of the accused and Mr Frank Dorrian for the other and granted two legal counsel.
They cannot be named in order to prevent the child from being identified.