Courts / Ireland / Report

Wife had to remain in contact with husband to facilitate legal access to son, rape trial hears

Summary

In a rape trial, a woman alleged her husband raped her in their home while their son slept downstairs. She had obtained a barring order from the District Court but was told by the judge that she must facilitate access for her husband to their child. She said she arranged meetings in public places for safety. She did not use the word "rape" when applying for the order, finding it difficult. The accused, 42, pleaded not guilty to rape, assault causing harm and five counts of threats to kill or cause serious harm between May 24 and August 1, 2014, and had previously pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife with a hammer in August 2014. The trial, before Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy and a jury of eleven men and one woman, heard the woman's statements about her fear, attempts to leave, and the judge's instructions to maintain contact for their son's access. The case remains ongoing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Wife had to remain in contact with husband to facilitate legal access to son, rape trial hears. Charges or matters: rape, assault causing harm and five counts of threats to kill or cause serious harm between May 24 and August 1, 2014; a count of assaulting his wife with a hammer in August 2014. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• May 24 Incident
• August 1, 2014 Incident
• August 2014 Incident
• May 2014 Other
• 2016-06-17 Publication

Why: A woman who was allegedly raped by her husband had to stay in contact with him because a judge directed he be given access to their son, a trial has heard. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Sexual Offences Stage Trial Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report