Courts / Dublin / Report

Asylum seeker denies she consented to any sexual activity with rape accused

Date
2021-04-09

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin court, a 36‑year‑old asylum seeker testified that she did not consent to any sexual activity with a man accused of rape. She explained that she had come to Ireland in November 2017 to avoid an arranged marriage in her home country and had applied for asylum at the International Protection Office. She was introduced to the accused through a mosque that facilitated meetings for the Muslim community. After a ceremony in a smaller mosque, the accused allegedly took her to his flat and raped her over three days. During cross‑examination, the defense lawyer questioned her about alleged sexual contact, to which she denied any initiation or consent, stating she had never touched him and that she was a virgin who was forced. The trial is ongoing before Mr Justice Alex Owens. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Asylum seeker denies she consented to any sexual activity with rape accused. Charges or matters: three counts of rape, one of sexual assault and one of attempted rape of the woman in his Dublin home on various occasions over the weekend of December 1 to December 3, 2017. Procedural stage: trial

When:

December 1 Incident
December 3, 2017 Incident
November 2017 Incident
2021-04-09 Publication

Why: The jury has already heard the 36-year-old woman testify that on a visit to Ireland in November 2017 she decided to seek asylum here in order to flee from an arranged 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 various occasions over the weekend of December 1 to December 3, 2017 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty