Courts / Ireland / Report

Jury fail to agree on verdicts in trial of three accused of raping teenage girl

Summary

A jury at the Central Criminal Court failed to reach a verdict in the trial of three men accused of raping a teenage girl in a car in December 2017. The complainant, then 17, alleged she was raped in turn by the defendants at a hotel car park in the Leinster area. The first defendant, aged 22, pleaded not guilty to rape and sexual assault. The second defendant, aged 23, pleaded not guilty to rape, oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault. The third defendant, also 23, pleaded not guilty to rape and oral rape. After a three-week trial and over nine hours of deliberation, the jury returned verdicts of disagreed on all eight counts. Ms Justice Greally adjourned the case for mention to April 28 next. Prosecutors argued the complainant explicitly said no, while defence counsel contended the interactions were consensual or that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. Under the 1981 Rape Act, the defendants retain anonymity until conviction, and the complainant remains entitled to anonymity.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury fail to agree on verdicts in trial of three accused of raping teenage girl. Charges or matters: rape; sexual assault; oral rape. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• December 20, 2017 Adjournment
• April 28 Adjournment
• December 20 Other
• 2023-04-05 Publication

Why: He suggested the woman didn't take opportunities to be rescued because there was "nothing to be rescued from". CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report