Legal argument in rape case

The trial at the Central Criminal Court of a Co Westmeath man charged with raping and sexually assaulting a now 72-year-old woman…

The trial at the Central Criminal Court of a Co Westmeath man charged with raping and sexually assaulting a now 72-year-old woman over a period of 11 years has continued with legal argument in the absence of the jury. Mr Justice Quirke sent the jury away until next week to enable him to deal with legal issues which have arisen.

The 56-year-old accused man has pleaded not guilty to nine charges of rape and indecent assault at the woman's home on specific dates from 1983 to 1994.

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