Courts / Donegal / Report

Defence put alleged "inconsistencies" to investigating garda in rape trial

Summary

A garda leading the investigation into an alleged rape in County Donegal was cross-examined at the Central Criminal Court regarding the handling of evidence in the case. A 19-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and oral rape alleged to have occurred in March 2016. During cross-examination on day seven of the trial, defence counsel questioned Garda Paul Leape about discrepancies in the alleged victim's accounts, including conflicting details about a phone call made during the incident. The garda defended the investigative approach, stating that minor inconsistencies were natural given the traumatic circumstances and that gathering evidence was the responsibility of gardaí rather than cross-examining witnesses. Counsel also raised questions about CCTV footage showing the complainant and accused together after the alleged offences. The trial before Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy continues with a jury of eight men and four women.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Defence put alleged "inconsistencies" to investigating garda in rape trial. Charges or matters: raping and orally raping the girl behind a building in a town in Co Donegal in the early hours of March 18, 2016. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• March 18, 2016 Incident
• 2018-07-11 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report