Courts / Dublin / Report

Rape trial ends after death of accused

Date
2020-01-21

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The trial of a 29‑year‑old man accused of raping a woman he met at Copper Face Jacks nightclub ended after his death. He had pleaded not guilty to raping and sexually assaulting a woman at his Dublin home on 23 December 2016. On the sixth day of the trial, Mr Justice Alex Owens informed the jury that the defendant had not appeared in court the previous day and that enquiries had been made. He announced the accused was deceased and that the jury need not continue or reach a verdict. The complainant, a woman in her 20s, testified that after leaving the nightclub she and the accused went to his home, where they began consensual sex that turned violent. She described being choked, forced to continue, spitting on her, and being kicked. She reported the incident to Gardaí on 29 December 2016, and the accused denied the offences during police interview. The identities of the parties remain undisclosed.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Rape trial ends after death of accused. Charges or matters: raping and sexually assaulting a woman at his then address in Dublin on December 23, 2016. Procedural stage: trial

When: