Westmeath man pleads not guilty to anal rape

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

A 33-year-old Westmeath man went on trial at the Central Criminal Court accused of raping a woman at his home on 1 January 2017. He pleaded not guilty to anal rape. The proceedings were reported on 20 July 2020.

The trial was expected to last seven days and was due to open before a jury on Tuesday. Mr Justice Paul McDermott told the jury panel that special Covid-19 arrangements had been made following consultation with health authorities. They included social distancing and protective screens.