Courts / Dublin / Report

Rape accused tells jury he has history of sleepwalking and "night terrors"

Date
2016-10-10

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin trial, a 29‑year‑old man pleaded not guilty to one count of raping a female friend at an apartment on 28 September 2008. He told the jury that he has a history of sleepwalking and night terrors, and that he has no memory of initiating sexual activity with the complainant. He recounted past incidents where he woke up kissing or touching others in his sleep, and that he had been told by a friend that he had been "spooning" him in bed. He explained that after a night out with the complainant they went to a friend's house, where he fell asleep on a spare bed. He claimed he woke up on top of the woman, had no recollection of how he got there, and that he later texted her to apologise.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Rape accused tells jury he has history of sleepwalking and "night terrors". Charges or matters: one count of raping the woman at an apartment in Dublin in the early hours of September 28, 2008. Procedural stage: trial

When: