Eight people, including two under the age of 18, charged with serious sexual offences in February

A 15-year-old boy was charged with the rape and sexual assault of his 12-year-old cousin brother last month.

This has been confirmed by the Office of the Department of Public Prosecutions who say there were 8 cases of serious sexual offences filed in the High Court, with a total of 15 counts of sexual offences last month.

These include 9 counts of rape, 1 indecent assault and 5 sexual assault.

ODPP says eight people were charged with a total of 15 counts of sexual offences.

They say of the eight accused people, two were below the age of 18 while there were eight victims of whom four were under the age of 18 years.

There were six female victims and two male victims and there were five incidents where the victims and the accused were related to one another.

A 17-year-old boy was charged with the rape and sexual assault of his 10-year-old step-sister.

In another incident, an 18-year-old man was charged with the rape of a 34-year-old woman.

A 68-year-old man was charged with indecent assault and sexual assault of his 8-year-old niece, while in another incident, a 43-year-old man was charged with the rape of his 19-year-old niece.

A 32-year-old man was charged with the rape of his 16-year-old nephew, however, this matter was discontinued after the victim could not be located or contacted.

A 33-year-old man was charged with two counts of sexual assault of a 19-year-old woman during a drinking party.

ODPP says two cases were withdrawn after discontinuances were filed after the victim could not be located and contacted and insufficient evidence.