Courts / Donegal / Report

Rape accused's semem found on complainant's underwear, trial hears

Date
2019-10-30

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Donegal

County
Donegal

Summary

A 29-year-old man accused of rape has had his trial at the Central Criminal Court hear evidence that semen matching his profile was discovered on the alleged victim's underwear. The accused, a non-national residing in Donegal, denies the charge alongside a 33-year-old co-accused. Both men have pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape alleged to have occurred in a Donegal town in February 2015. Forensic scientist Dr David Casey testified that the probability of the semen originating from another individual was less than one in 1,000 million. The complainant has alleged she was too intoxicated to consent to sexual activity. The accused told gardaí following arrest that he did not engage in any sexual contact with the woman, and that his semen would not be present at the location. His account to gardaí described consensual activity with the woman's companion rather than the complainant herself. The trial before Judge Alex Owens continues.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Rape accused's semem found on complainant's underwear, trial hears. Charges or matters: two counts of rape of the woman in a town in the county in February 2015. Procedural stage: trial

When: