Courts / Westmeath / Report

Rape accused tells jury he didn't cause complainant's injuries

Date
2020-07-29

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Mullingar

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 33‑year‑old Westmeath man pleaded not guilty to a rape charge stemming from an alleged incident on 1 January 2017. The complainant, who had been invited to the accused's home after a New Year's Eve ball, claimed she had told him no sexual activity would occur, yet he allegedly raped her in the front sitting room. The accused denied all allegations, asserting that any sexual activity was consensual and that he did not cause the injuries found on the complainant's body. He repeatedly stated "that is not true" when confronted with evidence of bruising, abrasions and tenderness noted by a medical examiner. The jury heard the accused's testimony that he had no violence during the encounter and that he had not caused the injuries. The case remains at the trial stage, with no verdict yet reached.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Rape accused tells jury he didn't cause complainant's injuries. Charges or matters: a charge of rape at his home in Westmeath on January 1, 2017. Procedural stage: trial

When:

January 1, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
New Year's Eve Incident
2020-07-29 Publication

Why: Counsel put it to the accused that the woman did tell him this but it was irrelevant to him because he planned to have anal sex with her. CNI source report