Woman sues retired garda sergeant for damages over alleged rape

A woman from Castlebar, County Mayo, has initiated civil proceedings in the High Court seeking damages against a retired garda detective sergeant over allegations of rape. The plaintiff claims she was subjected to sexual harassment and stalking by the defendant between 2002 and 2005 while he was investigating her own complaint of historical sexual abuse. The defendant has acknowledged engaging in a sexual relationship with the plaintiff but maintains it was consensual. The plaintiff's counsel argued that the defendant abused his position of authority as a member of An Garda Síochána, particularly given the plaintiff's vulnerable status as an abuse victim. The defendant's counsel contended the sexual contact, whilst inappropriate given the power imbalance and the defendant's professional role, did not constitute rape. A central dispute concerns whether the alleged rape occurred on New Year's Eve 2002. The case was continuing before Mr Justice John Hedigan.