Courts / Dublin / Report

Triple rape trial jury mustn't engage in 'victim blaming', judge instructs

Date
2020-03-19

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court trial, three men in their early twenties were accused of raping an 18‑year‑old woman on January 5, 2016, at Bull Island, Dollymount, Dublin. The defendants, all teenagers at the time, pleaded not guilty. They claim the sexual acts were consensual, with one defendant testifying that he and his "gentleman friends" treated the complainant with respect. During the trial, Paul Greene SC defended the third accused, arguing that the defendants believed they had consent and that the presence of a condom and lubricant suggested no intent to rape. Judge Alex Owens instructed the jury not to make moral judgments or engage in victim‑blaming, emphasizing that consent must be proven and that lack of resistance does not equate to consent. The judge's charge to the jury was to be completed the following day, after which deliberations would begin.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Triple rape trial jury mustn't engage in 'victim blaming', judge instructs. Charges or matters: raping a woman at Bull Island, Dollymount, Dublin, on January 5, 2016. Procedural stage: trial

When: