Courts / Ireland / Report

Complainant tells sports coach rape trial of feeling 'shocked and violated'

Date
2024-07-11
Stage
Trial

Summary

The 48‑year‑old complainant, who was 13‑14 at the time, testified that the 78‑year‑old sports coach, who pleaded not guilty, began as her coach in secondary school and later performed "muscle checks" that involved touching her breasts and moving his hands up and down for about five minutes. She said the coach told her she was a "good girl" and that she needed to work harder, and that she would later digitally penetrate her. The complainant claimed the coach raped her in a small room after she resumed training in September, after which she did not inform her parents but stopped participating in the sport. She described feeling shocked, violated and that the trust had been broken. The trial is ongoing before Justice Melanie Greally and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Complainant tells sports coach rape trial of feeling 'shocked and violated'. Charges or matters: one count of rape and 15 counts of indecent assault in a school on dates between October 1989 and October 1990. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Why: When asked if she had told anybody about this alleged continuous behaviour, she replied: "No, because I thought it was legitimate. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed 78-year-old

Accused

Charges: one count of rape and 15 counts of indecent assault in a school on dates between October 1989 and October 1990 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court

Topics

Stage Trial

Read the original CNI report

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