Courts / Ireland / Report

'If you whispered it to a horse, you'd get a kick': barrister says accused's defence is 'obviously untrue'

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court trial, a 55‑year‑old man accused of raping his wife's friend pleaded not guilty to one count of rape. He testified that he and the complainant had consensual sex that night. Prosecuting barrister Sean Gillane SC argued the accused's defence was "obviously untrue", likening it to a horse's kick if whispered. Gillane highlighted the complainant's reluctance to be walked home, her post‑incident washing, and her friend's testimony of trauma as evidence of rape. Defence counsel Dominic McGinn SC urged jurors to view the case dispassionately, noting the accused's admission of lying to Gardaí and his continued contact with the complainant as inconsistent with a violent assault. The jury paused deliberations for the day, to resume the next morning. The case remains at the trial stage.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'If you whispered it to a horse, you'd get a kick': barrister says accused's defence is 'obviously untrue'. Charges or matters: one count of rape in September 2019. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• September 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2024-02-13 Publication

Why: Earlier, prosecuting counsel Sean Gillane SC asked the jury in his closing speech to look at the woman's evidence, which he suggested "rings true because it is true" He noted there isn't "a textbook or a map" of how people should or do react to a "a trauma of that type". CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report