Complainant "upset and in shock", nurse tells rape trial

A nurse has described a female student as appearing upset and in a state of shock following alleged rapes by two men in Co Donegal in February 2015. Giving evidence on day seven of the trial at the Central Criminal Court, the witness said she was approached by two extremely distressed young women who were crying. She noted the complainant spoke more than her companion, who remained very quiet and seemed in complete shock. The nurse observed the complainant appeared intoxicated and contacted gardaí, who arrived promptly. A second witness, a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit examiner, identified five areas of bruising in the genital region but stated under cross-examination that bruising cannot be aged to determine when it occurred. The two defendants, aged 29 and 33 and both resident in Donegal, have pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape. The trial continues with legal argument, with the jury to resume hearing evidence on Monday.