Courts / Dublin / Report

Special needs woman told interviewer that man had sex with her after she became separated from her mother, trial hears

Date
2015-11-24

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a rape trial at the Central Criminal Court, jurors heard evidence from a special‑needs woman in her twenties who claimed a man brought her to his Dublin home and had sex with her after she became separated from her mother. The accused, who pleaded not guilty to rape, sexual assault and having sex with a mentally impaired person, denied knowing she was mentally impaired. Two DVDs of the woman speaking to a specialist interviewer were shown to the jury. In the first interview she described being found on the street, taken to a house, and forced into sexual activity, including being locked in a room and threatened with violence. She said the man kissed her and inserted his penis, causing her pain. The prosecution argued that consent was impossible because she lacked the capacity to consent, while the defence could argue the accused had no reason to suspect her impairment. The case remains at the trial stage.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Special needs woman told interviewer that man had sex with her after she became separated from her mother, trial hears. Charges or matters: rape, sexual assault and having sex with a mentally impaired person at his Dublin home on June 12, 2013. Procedural stage: trial

When: