Courts / Dublin / Report

Daughter with Down Syndrome was "white as a sheet" and "retching", mother tells rape trial

Date
2015-11-25

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a 2015 trial, a woman in her twenties with Down syndrome was alleged to have been raped at the accused's Dublin home on 12 June 2013. The accused admitted some sexual contact but claimed it was consensual and that he was unaware of her mental impairment. The victim's mother testified that her daughter was "white as a sheet" and "retching" when she returned home, and that she had been taken to the accused's house by the man. She described people with Down syndrome as trusting, gentle, and non‑assertive, and noted her daughter's developmental delays and need for supervision. The mother recounted the day's events, the victim's distress, and the alleged sexual acts. The trial was conducted before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of twelve, with the accused pleading not guilty to rape, sexual assault and sex with a mentally impaired person.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Daughter with Down Syndrome was "white as a sheet" and "retching", mother tells rape trial. 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: