Courts / Dublin / Report

Complainant denies she confused rape with consensual sex

Date
2020-03-03

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The complainant, an 18‑year‑old woman at the time of the alleged offence, denies that she confused consensual sex with rape. She says she was driven to Dollymount Strand on 5 January 2016, raped by three teenage men, and left alone. During cross‑examination she recalled a 2011 incident when she was about 12 or 13, living in a care home. She texted an older teenager on 22 April 2011, saying "right, if you want your hole, you'll have to wait, not my fault, the staff see you out", implying that sex would be allowed after a wait. She claims the man raped her that night and that she did not report the rape to another girl in the home because she feared retaliation. She insists she was raped, not that she consented, and the trial continues before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a jury. The unnamed woman pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Complainant denies she confused rape with consensual sex. Charges or matters: raping a woman at Bull Island, Dollymount, Dublin, on January 5, 2016. Procedural stage: trial

When:

January 5, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
April 22, 2011 Incident
February 21st Incident
2020-03-03 Publication

Why: The woman told the jury that she did not report the rape to another teenage girl she knew in the home because she was afraid. CNI source report