Courts / Dublin / Report

'Listen to you laughing after she says 'No'': trial hears of Whatsapp messages between rape accused

Summary

The trial of three men, aged 34 to 42, accused of raping and sexually assaulting a woman in Dublin and Wicklow on August 31, 2019, has heard evidence regarding WhatsApp messages and video clips. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to a total of seven counts of rape, oral rape, and sexual assault, denying any wrongdoing. The jury viewed two video clips shared between the first and third accused; one 30-second clip featured a female voice saying 'No' repeatedly, while the other was six seconds long with no audible words. An investigating garda stated he believed a male voice was heard in the first clip but agreed with defense counsel that no allegations of anal rape exist in this case. The court noted that the clips were not found on phones seized from the second or third accused, and gardai could not determine the exact recording times or order. The first accused, aged 39, provided a detailed account to gardai, claiming the woman consented to sexual activity and that she later refused anal sex. He described the interactions as consensual and stated he was '100% shocked' by the accusations. The second accused, aged 42, and the third accused, aged 34, also maintain their innocence. The trial continues.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Listen to you laughing after she says 'No'': trial hears of Whatsapp messages between rape accused. Charges or matters: a total of seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault of the woman at an unknown location in a car and in a Dublin house on August 31, 2019; rape; oral rape; sexual assault. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• August 31, 2019 Incident
• September 9, 2020 Other
• December 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
• September 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2025-01-21 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

• Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
• Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
• Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
• 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'

Read the original CNI report