Courts / Ireland / Report

Gang rape complainant denies sexual activity was consensual

Date
2022-03-07
Stage
Sentence

Summary

The Central Criminal Court trial of four men, who have pleaded not guilty to 18 counts of sexual assault, rape, and false imprisonment of a woman on December 27, 2016, continued before Ms Justice Tara Burns. The fifth accused is not before the court. Both the complainant and defendants are entitled to anonymity under the 1981 Rape Act. During cross-examination, the complainant denied that the sexual activity alleged to have occurred in a car and at a remote location was consensual. She rejected suggestions by Colman Cody SC and Hugh Hartnett SC that the atmosphere was jovial or her behavior playful. The complainant alleged she was forced to give and receive oral sex and was raped by each of the five men. She stated that any sexual acts were non-consensual, contradicting assertions by Seamus Clarke SC that his client believed the acts were consensual. The complainant also denied placing herself on a defendant's lap or kissing the driver upon leaving. The trial continues tomorrow.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Gang rape complainant denies sexual activity was consensual. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: She said in evidence today that this was "kind of funny because I was only learning to drive". CNI source report

Case subjects

Colman Cody Sc

Applicant

Seamus Clarke Sc

Applicant

Unnamed defendant 1

Defendant

Unnamed defendant 2

Defendant

Unnamed defendant 3

Defendant

Unnamed defendant 4

Defendant

Unnamed defendant 5

Defendant

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Central Criminal court

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report

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