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Sex assault allegation against massage therapist "incredible" and "unbelievable", defence say
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, a 48‑year‑old man pleaded not guilty to one count of sexually assaulting a woman during a massage session on 24 January 2015. The prosecution alleged that he removed her underwear, touched her vagina, kissed her bare bottom and claimed he "just couldn't help himself." Defence counsel Tara Burns SC argued that the accused was a qualified sports massage therapist, misrepresented himself as a physiotherapist to Gardaí, and that the victim's evidence was inconsistent and "unbelievable." She highlighted that the victim could not explain the duration or movement of the alleged assault and questioned the plausibility of her subsequent actions. The prosecution, led by Maurice Coffey BL, maintained that the victim was emotionally affected, that the accused had a dominant position, and urged a guilty verdict. The trial continues under Judge Karen O'Connor's charge to the jury.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Sex assault allegation against massage therapist "incredible" and "unbelievable", defence say. Charges or matters: one count of sexually assaulting the woman at his practice in Dublin on January 24, 2015. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- January 24, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2017-12-01 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: one count of sexually assaulting the woman at his practice in Dublin on January 24, 2015 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Ms Burns also questioned whether it was believable that the woman, having been sexually assaulted, would then allow the man to put back on her underpants, or that she would practice physio exercises in front of him, as the trial heard.
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