The presumption of innocence in delayed criminal prosecutions for childhood sexual abuse: Lessons from Ireland

This article examines the recent Irish Supreme Court jurisprudence in delay ed cases of alleged childhood sexual abuse. ne defendant's application for prohibition is subject to a test which includes a presumption that the comp laint is true. Divisions within the court illustrate the problem posed by t he presumption of innocence in these cases to a far greater degree than has been the case in the English courts.