Man sexually assaulted teenage girl at staff party, Mayo jury hears

A man aged 33 has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexually assaulting a teenage girl at a staff party in County Mayo in July 2020. The trial is taking place at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Eoin Garavan and an all-male jury. The complainant, now aged 21, gave evidence that she was 16 at the time and had consumed several bottles of cider during the event. She alleged the accused, whom she had not previously met, engaged in sexual contact with her in a bathroom and later in an alleyway without her consent. The woman told the court she objected to the contact and pushed the man away. The defendant faces two counts: sexual assault at the party premises on 14 to 15 July 2020, and defilement of a child under 17 at a separate address on 15 July 2020. He denies both charges. The trial is expected to continue for several days.