The jury in the trial of a man, who is facing 53 charges of rape and sexual assault against a child over a six-year period, has retired to consider its verdict.
The charges allegedly occurred between 1999 and 2005 at various locations in Co Waterford.
The man, who is currently standing trial before a jury of five women and seven men, cannot be identified due to in-camera reporting restrictions.
The complainant previously alleged at Waterford Central Criminal Court that the defendant started abusing her on a regular and prolonged basis shortly before her 10th birthday.
She said that she had moved with her family to a neighbourhood in Waterford when she was a child and she had become friendly with the accused and his wife.
She told the court of attending sleepovers at the home of the accused and described sleeping in a single bed in the spare room and how the accused would get in behind her in the bed.
The jury today heard the closing arguments from prosecutor Garnet Orange SC and defence barrister Aidan Doyle.
The court also heard witness testimony from a former teacher of the complainant.
The now retired teacher raised concerns with the complainant's parents over 20 years ago but the court heard that this was met with a cold response.
The defendant did not give evidence on the stand, but the jury did hear details from the memos of garda interviews that took place after his arrest in 2022.
In the interviews, the accused man repeatedly denied all accusations of rape and sexual assault.
He also denied being sexually attracted to children when asked by the investigating detective garda.
The court was told the accused did admit to kissing the complainant on the night of his daughter’s christening but later apologised to her.
Earlier today, the jury heard witness testimony from a former guidance counsellor who taught the complainant over 20 years ago.
The counsellor, now retired, told the court that she had taught the complainant during her second and third year at the school.
The counsellor said she had "copious notes" from her sessions with the complainant.
The court heard the counsellor first spoke to the complainant, then aged in her early teens, over "concerns regarding a possible eating disorder".
The counsellor said she went to visit the complainant’s home over these concerns and spoke with her mother.
The counsellor later became concerned over the complainant’s frequent interactions with a "neighbour".
She said: "After a period of counselling, she told me that sexual things were happening."
The counsellor said she informed the parents of the complainant, in accordance with the child safety procedures of the time.
The court heard she went to the family home for second time to share her concerns, stating that the proper authorities would need to be contacted.
The counsellor said: "I told her father that either he had to do it or I would. He said he would do it."
She told the court that she "expected a different response" from the family.
Mr Orange asked her what she meant by that and she replied: "I would expect from a parent a much more alarmed response."
The jury will continue its deliberations tomorrow.
