Courts / Dublin / Report

Trial opens over alleged rape of woman who sought asylum due to forced marriage

Date
2021-04-06

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

A 36‑year‑old woman who sought asylum in Ireland after her family tried to force her into marriage is on trial for rape. She was introduced to the accused through a mosque in Dublin. The accused, who pleaded not guilty, is charged with three counts of rape, one of sexual assault and one of attempted rape, all alleged to have occurred at his Dublin home between 1 and 3 December 2017. The woman gave evidence via video link, describing how she met the accused, how he pressured her about marriage, and how he allegedly forced sexual acts on her, including an attempted rape that she resisted. The trial is being heard at the Central Criminal Court, with the prosecution presenting evidence of the accused's contact with the mosque's Imam and the alleged sexual conduct. The case is scheduled to continue before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Trial opens over alleged rape of woman who sought asylum due to forced marriage. Charges or matters: three counts of rape, one of sexual assault and one of attempted rape of the woman in his Dublin home on dates between December 1 and December 3, 2017. Procedural stage: trial

When:

December 1 Incident
December 3, 2017 Incident
November 2017 Incident
2021-04-06 Publication

Why: A man is accused of raping a woman he had been introduced to through a mosque after she sought asylum here because her family were trying to force her into a marriage in her home country. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed accused

Accused

Charges: three counts of rape, one of sexual assault and one of attempted rape of the woman in his Dublin home on dates between December 1 and December 3, 2017 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty