Courts / Ireland / Report
Sports coach rape trial 'stands or falls' on evidence of complainant, State tells jury
Summary
The Central Criminal Court is in the closing stages of a rape trial involving a 78‑year‑old sports coach accused of raping and sexually assaulting a teenage girl between October 1989 and October 1990. The defendant, who cannot be named, has pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and 15 counts of indecent assault. The complainant, aged 13 to 14 at the time, is the sole witness. Prosecutor Patricia McLoughlin SC emphasised that the case hinges on the complainant's evidence, noting that such offences are typically secretive and that belief in her testimony is sufficient for conviction. Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC highlighted discrepancies between the complainant's and the defendant's sketches of the room layout, arguing that the prosecution's only layout evidence is a Garda sketch from 2021. Justice Melanie Greally has begun her charge to the jury, who will retire tomorrow to consider the verdicts.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Sports coach rape trial 'stands or falls' on evidence of complainant, State tells jury. Charges or matters: one count of rape and 15 counts of indecent assault in the school on dates between October 1989 and October 1990. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- October 1989 Incident
- October 1990 Incident
- 2024-07-16 Publication
Why: She acknowledged that in such cases, it is usually one person's word against another but added that this is because offences of this kind "by their very nature tend to be conducted in a very secretive way". CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of rape and 15 counts of indecent assault in the school on dates between October 1989 and October 1990 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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