Courts / Dublin / Report

Expert believes rape accused has history of "sexsomnia"

Date
2016-10-14

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin rape trial, a psychiatrist specialising in sleep disorders, Dr Catherine Crowe, testified that the 29‑year‑old accused had a long history of parasomnia, including sleepwalking, night terrors and sexsomnia. She argued that the alleged rape on the night of 28 September 2008 could have been a sexsomnia episode, noting the accused's pattern of behaviour and his history of sleep‑related sexual activity. Dr Crowe stated that she believed the incident was "more likely" a sexsomnia episode, though she acknowledged the complainant's testimony that the accused was awake minutes after the act. She agreed with the prosecution that the complainant had not consented and that the accused was the instigator. The case is proceeding before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury. The unnamed 29-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Expert believes rape accused has history of "sexsomnia". 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: