Courts / Donegal / Report

Alleged rape victim was "drunk but herself", trial hears

Date
2018-07-09
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Donegal
County
Donegal

Summary

A trial at the Central Criminal Court heard evidence yesterday concerning allegations against a 19-year-old youth charged with rape in County Donegal. The accused denies raping and orally raping a 16-year-old girl behind a building in the early hours of March 18, 2016. A witness who saw the complainant shortly after the alleged offences testified that although the girl had consumed alcohol, she remained responsive and coherent, though visibly distressed with visible injuries. The court heard testimony from another witness describing panic-stricken phone calls in which the complainant sought help. A medical examination two days later revealed multiple bruising and abrasions across the girl's body. Forensic evidence indicated the complainant's blood on the accused's clothing and her DNA on a recovered condom. The trial before Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy continues.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Alleged rape victim was "drunk but herself", trial hears. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Unnamed teenager

Accused

Outcome: The nurse told Michael O'Higgins SC, defending, that the girl had taken "long pauses" while describing what had happened and had been comforted in between sentences.

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court

Topics

Stage Sentence

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