A woman who claims she was aged 11 when a then 35-year-old family relative began sexually abusing her has brought an action for damages in the High Court.
The man admits sexual intimacy with the girl on certain dates but claims this was consensual without any force or coercion involved and that he was "in love" with her.
Mother of three Ann Kelly (48) Tulach Rua, Currow, Farranfore, Co Kerry has sued Stephen "Sonny" Hennessy, a farmer who is also her cousin, from Shanaganagh, Querrin East, Kilkee, Co Clare.
The court was told Mr Hennessy had pleaded guilty at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court last month to four counts of indecent assault of Ms Kelly between 1968 and 1969 and was given a two-year suspended sentence.
In her action, Ms Kelly claims that between 1968 and 1971 he assaulted her sexually and trespassed upon her person on a continuing basis and to varying degrees.
On more than one occasion, Mr Hennessy drove her and her sister to the local shop late at night and touched her inappropriately while she was sitting in the front of the car, it is claimed.
Ms Kelly also alleges she was subjected to further acts of indecency and sexual assault by Mr Hennessy while in her home and after the other members of her family had gone to bed.
On one occasion, it is alleged he forced himself on Ms Kelly in a field and forced her to have full sexual intercourse with him.
Mr Hennessy, it is claimed, had earned Ms Kelly's trust and favour before the start of the abuse by offering chocolate, sweets, money and a watch to her. He singled out the girl from the other children in her home and treated her as a favourite child.
In his defence, Mr Hennessy admits certain acts of intimacy took place between him and Ms Kelly in 1970 and 1971 but claims these were consensual. He claims such acts occurred over a period of time when there was considerable closeness, familiarity and intimacy between himself and Ms Kelly. He denies there was any force or fear or compulsion involved.
Mr Hennessy admits an act of sexual intimacy occurred between himself and Ms Kelly in a field in 1971 but denies that was anything other than consensual. He also denies that full sexual intercourse took place.
In his defence, Mr Hennessy pleads he "may have been misguided and foolish" but he was "in love" with Ms Kelly and was fully convinced she was in love with him.
The case before Mr Justice Paul Butler continues today.