Viorel Postolache denies sexual assault charge at Cork trial

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

Viorel Postolache, 32, was on trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court before Judge David Riordan and a jury on a single charge of sexual assault. He denies the charge. The proceedings were reported on 12 November 2014.

The complainant said she was taking an antibiotic and felt too unwell to stay at the nightclub, so she walked to her car at Crosse’s Green Quay. She said the alleged assault felt lengthy but accepted that it lasted only seconds.

The prosecution alleged that Postolache ran behind her, lifted her skirt, held her against her car and rubbed her vagina and bottom with his hands. Her underwear remained on. It was alleged that he ran away when she screamed, kicked and shouted.

The court heard evidence of his replies during garda questioning. Referring to CCTV, a garda suggested that he had broken into a jog and followed the woman after she left the club. Postolache replied that it might have been a coincidence.

Asked why he had walked up Washington St after midnight on 17 July 2012 and then returned, he said he had mistakenly brought work keys and was returning them. When questioned about being seen running after the alleged assault, he said he was crossing the street at a bad place and that running was not evidence. During the questioning, he denied touching the woman.

The report said the case was continuing.

This report covers an earlier stage of the case. Later developments are not reported here.