Donegal man found guilty of raping 14-year-old girl when he was aged 15

A man from County Donegal has been found guilty of raping a 14-year-old girl during a youth disco in December 2010, when he was aged 15. The 20-year-old defendant, whose identity is protected to safeguard the victim's anonymity, was convicted at the Central Criminal Court following a jury trial. The jury unanimously found him guilty of rape and sexual assault at a nightclub in a Donegal town. During proceedings, Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan instructed the jury that a person under 15 cannot legally consent to sexual activity. The defendant had pleaded not guilty and his defence contended the encounter was consensual and escalated unintentionally. The victim gave evidence that the accused pushed her into a toilet cubicle without consent. The defendant has been remanded in custody pending sentencing in March, when the court will receive a victim impact report and a probation assessment.