Donegal man pleads not guilty to historical child cruelty charges during arraignment at Derry court
A 64-years-old man from County Donegal has pleaded not guilty during his arraignment at Derry Crown Court to committing 17 offences of historical child cruelty.
Darren Sweeney, who is currently in custody in Maghaberry Prison, denies committing the offences against two male children on dates between May 25, 1997 and January 1, 2006.
The hearing took place at the Crown Court in Derry on Tuesday.
Defence barrister Michael Chambers KC told Judge Roseanne McCormick during the hearing that the defendant was currently "serving a lengthy sentence in the Republic of Ireland”.
He had been transferred from the High Court in Dublin to Northern Ireland, the barrister said, in order to deal with these cases". He added that he was "trying to resolve matters".
The case was adjourned for a trial until February 8 with a review date of September 24.
Following his arraignment the defendant was remanded in continuing custody.