Courts / Leitrim / Report

Rape accused didn't care if victim wasn't consenting, State tells jury

Date
2019-11-08
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Leitrim
County
Leitrim

Summary

The Central Criminal Court trial of two men accused of raping a woman in a Leitrim flat in 2017 has entered jury deliberations. The first accused pleaded not guilty to rape, while the second accused pleaded not guilty to rape and oral rape. Prosecution counsel Eilis Brennan SC argued that the defendants did not care if the victim was consenting, citing evidence that they invited other men to the bedroom and made derogatory comments outside the room. The complainant testified that she woke to find the men raping her on two occasions. In defense, Conor Devally SC for the first accused contended that the sex was consensual and that the complainant later felt demeaned by the behavior of others, leading her to reconstruct the night. Colm Smyth SC for the second accused argued that the prosecution's claim of incapacity was a "spin," asserting the woman was in full control and had consented to oral sex. He also criticized the Garda investigation, alleging that untested DNA evidence was not seized. The jury began deliberations after lunch and will resume on Monday morning.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Rape accused didn't care if victim wasn't consenting, State tells jury. Charges or matters: rape in a flat in a town in the county on a date in 2017; rape; oral rape. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Why: He said at the party she "squared up" to a man because people were laughing at her dancing. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed accused

Accused

Charges: rape in a flat in a town in the county on a date in 2017 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

first accused

Accused

Charges: rape (Alleged Or Contested)

second accused

Accused

Charges: rape; oral rape (Alleged Or Contested)

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court
Secondary Mention

Topics

Sexual Offences Stage Trial

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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