Courts / Ireland / Report

Alleged rape victim tells defence counsel she didn't see security guard

Summary

The Central Criminal Court trial of three men accused of raping a then-17-year-old in a hotel car park in the Leinster area on December 20, 2017, continued on its sixth day. The first defendant (22) pleaded not guilty to rape and sexual assault. The second defendant (23) pleaded not guilty to rape, oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault. The third defendant (22) pleaded not guilty to rape and oral rape. All charges are alleged or contested, with no findings or sentences recorded at this procedural stage. During cross-examination via videolink, the complainant disputed the third defendant's counsel's suggestion that the encounter was consensual. She stated she said no and did not participate. Defence counsel Mark Nicholas SC argued it was improbable the complainant did not notice a security guard arriving, noting the guard is expected to testify to seeing sexual activity. The complainant maintained she saw no one else. She explained she did not seek help due to fear and was in "fight or flight" mode. She admitted to using a sibling's phone to message a friend, which counsel suggested was an attempt to deceive. The complainant stated she told her mother two days later, leading to a Rape Crisis Centre referral. The trial continues before Ms Justice Melanie Greally and the jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Alleged rape victim tells defence counsel she didn't see security guard. Charges or matters: rape; sexual assault; oral rape. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• December 20, 2017 Incident
• December 22, 2017 Incident
• 2023-03-22 Publication

Why: "I guess you can call me slow because I hadn't copped that they were going to do what they did to me," she said. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report