Frenchman held by police over rape of Irish au pair

Alleged assault took place last summer when 20-year-old was taking care of child

A 40-year-old Frenchman has been detained in connection with the alleged drugging and rape of a 20-year-old Irishwoman last summer.

The accused, identified only as “G” by Le Parisien newspaper, was arrested in the town of Plaisir , where he lives in the Yvelines department west of Paris.

The alleged rape took place last summer in the Mediterranean town of Canet-en-Roussillon, where the young Irishwoman, identified as “B” was taking care of the man’s two-year-old son during a family holiday.

The young woman was found by police in a state of shock. She told gendarmes that “G” had asked her to drink vodka with him. After one glass, she felt dizzy. She remembered that around 3am her employer kissed her then raped her. She said she did did not have the strength to fight him.

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The gendarmes arrested the suspect then, but he denied the Irishwoman’s story.

Testimony from the man’s wife, who had remained in Plaisir, reopened the case. The wife said she had separated from her husband because he had drugged and raped her best friend in 2009.

The wife’s friend told police that she felt unwell after “G” gave her vodka to drink. He took advantage of her weakened condition to sexually abuse her.

The man was re-arrested on January 25th. On searching his home, police found coca leaves and a plant that weakens body reflexes. The suspect claims his estranged wife’s friend consented to sex with him. He denies having touched the Irishwoman.

Lara Marlowe

Lara Marlowe

Lara Marlowe is an Irish Times contributor