Courts / Ireland / Report

Gang rape trial hears medical exam found evidence of trauma

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a doctor testified that a medical examination of a 17‑year‑old girl, conducted five hours after alleged assaults on 27 December 2016, revealed bruises on her knee and calves, swelling and lacerations of the labia majora, bruising of the labia minora and perineum, and bleeding of the inner vaginal wall. Swabs and clothing were taken for forensic analysis. The doctor concluded that the injuries were consistent with non‑consensual sexual intercourse. The four men, aged 22 to 24, all pleaded not guilty to rape, sexual assault, and false imprisonment charges. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Tara Burns with a jury, continues to consider these allegations. The prosecution maintains that the girl was taken in a car with the men and raped "one after another" at a midlands location on the same date. The defendants' legal teams have not disputed the medical findings presented.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Gang rape trial hears medical exam found evidence of trauma. Charges or matters: two counts of sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment; two counts of sexual assault, one count of oral rape and one count of false imprisonment; an additional count of rape, two counts of sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment; three counts of sexual assault. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• December 27, 2016 Incident
• 2022-03-21 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report