Four men’s sexual offences trial collapses after charges dropped

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

The trial of four men accused of sexual offences collapsed at the Central Criminal Court after all charges against them were dropped. The proceedings were reported on 19 October 2023.

The men, all of whom had addresses in Dublin, were alleged to have raped and sexually assaulted a woman at her home between 8 and 9 December 2018.

The first accused, aged 25, had pleaded not guilty to oral rape and sexual assault. The second, also aged 25, had pleaded not guilty to rape and sexual assault. The third, aged 23, had pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape, one oral rape and a sexual assault. The fourth, aged 24, had pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape and sexual assault.

Earlier that week, the woman became upset while being cross-examined and asked for a break. Prosecuting counsel Anne Rowland SC later told Mr Justice David Keane that the woman was undergoing psychiatric treatment for an ongoing mental health issue and that the State was liaising with her doctor about her fitness to continue giving evidence.

On 17 October, Rowland indicated that, because of medical advice, the State wished to apply for the woman to continue her evidence by video link. The application was unsuccessful.

On 18 October, Rowland told the court that the woman could not continue giving evidence and that the State wished to enter a nolle prosequi on every count faced by each man. The report said this meant all charges were dropped.

On 19 October, Mr Justice Keane told the jury that the trial had not come to a natural conclusion. He exempted its members from jury service for 15 years and reminded them that the complainant and each accused were entitled to lifelong anonymity.