Courts / Dublin / Report

Naivety doesn't give right to sexual assault, prosecution tell jury

Date
2017-11-29

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, a 36‑year‑old man accused of sexually assaulting a 35‑year‑old foreign national on UCD campus was found not guilty by the jury. The defendant, who cannot be named, had met the woman on Tinder and arranged to meet after several weeks of communication. He drove her in a blue BMW to a field on campus, where she alleged he became aggressive and assaulted her. The defendant claimed he believed they were meeting for a hook‑up and that the woman was hysterical, stating he tried to kiss her and that she pushed him back. Gardaí interviews were presented, with the prosecution arguing the defendant's account was self‑serving and inconsistent. The defence argued the defendant's actions were reasonable given the woman's reaction and that she was not seeking sex. The jury heard closing speeches before being sent home for deliberation. The case remains at the trial stage.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Naivety doesn't give right to sexual assault, prosecution tell jury. Charges or matters: sexual assault of the foreign national on UCD campus, south Dublin on July 23, 2014. Procedural stage: trial

When:

July 23, 2014 Incident
2017-11-29 Publication

Why: The accused told gardaí that after driving her to a secluded lane-way he tried to kiss the woman, because he believed they were meeting for a hook-up. CNI source report