Teen rape trial jury concerned they were photographed by man 'associated with defence', appeal hears

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A man has launched an appeal against his conviction for rape and sexual assault following a trial in the Central Criminal Court. Stephen Lynch, with an address in County Offaly, was convicted in May 2021 of raping a fifteen-year-old girl at a property in Athlone, County Roscommon, in October 2015, and of sexually assaulting another young woman and assaulting her friend in December 2015. Lynch pleaded not guilty to all charges. At the Court of Appeal, his legal representatives argued the jury should have been discharged due to concerns they were photographed during the trial and following a reference by a witness to previous stories about the accused. The State's counsel submitted these issues were resolved at trial and were not sufficiently prejudicial to warrant discharge. The appeal court reserved judgment. Lynch was sentenced to eight years and nine months for the rape offence and concurrent sentences totalling two years and nine months for the other convictions.

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