Donegal girl ‘had sex with 17 men when she was just 13’

A teenager's secret list of a string of sex encounters she claims to have had with 17 men when she was only 13 has been put before a jury at a special sitting of Donegal District Court.

The girl, who has given evidence over two separate half-days, is due back in the witness box tomorrow for further cross-examination about the list and a diary in which she kept names of men she says she either “shifted” — kissed — or had full sex with.

She is the principal witness in the trial of a 34-year-old married man who denies six charges of sexually assaulting her between June 1 and November 30, 2003.

A Garda investigation was launched at the end of 2003.

The girl was taken into care at that time and remained in care for the next four years, until she was 18. At first, she agreed in court, she was rebellious and uncooperative during garda interviews.

She admitted that she ran away from a home on a number of occasions.

Eventually, her attitude changed under counselling until she realised self-esteem was important.

She now wanted to “put all that behind me” and get on with her life.

In a clear, unwavering voice the girl has been recounting for Judge Ray Fullam and the jury a year of sex encounters that started shortly after she made her Confirmation.

She said she drew up a list with three columns of names — the third column bearing only first names because she didn't know the men's surnames.

Special marks indicated the names of 17 men with whom she had sex 22 times.

The girl told of diary entries detailing encounters.

She said she kept the list of names so she would know the father in case she became pregnant.

She would strike out a name when she had her period. She described sex in the defendant's car in woodlands.

She usually had one leg still in her underwear and trousers.

The first time they had sex there was a baby-seat in the back of the car. She told the defendant that night that she was aged 13. She knew he was in his late 20s at the time.

The girl also gave evidence of doodles she drew at the time depicting herself and the defendant getting married.

This article is from The Belfast Telegraph