Donegal man pleads not guilty to historical child cruelty charges at Derry Crown Court
64-year-old denies 17 offences against two boys dating back to 1997
A sixty-four years old man from Co. Donegal has pleaded not guilty during his arraignment at Derry Crown Court to committing seventeen 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.
Defence barrister Michael Chambers KC told Judge Roseanne McCormick 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 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.