Courts / Ireland / Report

Rape trial jury "deadlocked"

Summary

The rape trial of two men at the Central Criminal Court was adjourned after the jury reported being deadlocked. Ms Justice Eileen Creedon informed the nine-man and three-woman jury that they could return a majority verdict, requiring at least ten jurors to agree. The jury had deliberated for three hours and previously requested to hear the complainant's evidence again, which was read from a transcript. The prosecution alleges that on a date in 2017, the complainant woke in a bedroom to find the defendants raping her on two occasions. Both accused pleaded not guilty to rape; the second accused also denies a charge of oral rape. The defendants, who knew the complainant from school, assert the activity was consensual. Defense counsel for the first accused argued the complainant made the allegation due to distress over overheard conversations, while counsel for the second accused contended the prosecution's claim that she was comatose was unsupported, noting witnesses saw her smiling and cuddling. Prosecution counsel highlighted that the first accused had recently moved into the flat, purchased condoms, and texted friends that he had "christened" the flat. The jury was sent home to resume deliberations on Tuesday morning.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Rape trial jury "deadlocked". Charges or matters: rape in a flat in a town in the county on a date in 2017; rape; oral rape. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• 2019-11-11 Publication

Why: Lawyers for the first accused said that the complainant made the allegation against him because she was upset by conversations she overheard outside the bedroom. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Sexual Offences Stage Trial

Read the original CNI report