Man who cannot be named pleads not guilty to rape charges

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

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to one count each of sexual assault, anal rape and defilement of a child.

The proceedings were reported on 18 December 2020.

The charges relate to an alleged incident at a derelict site in Co Kildare on 14 May 2016, when the accused was aged 17 and the complainant was 14. Prosecuting counsel Lorcan Staines SC said the anal rape and defilement counts were alternative charges relating to the same incident.

The trial was continuing before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury after prosecution and defence closing submissions.