A rape trial jury at the Central Criminal Court has been told the accused was arrested by a garda and two friends of the alleged victim after a chase through Galway city.
The alleged victim, a 21-year-old English woman, was waiting for the sunrise at Nimmo's Pier in Galway when she was attacked by a man who raped her. A 39-year-old Welsh national denies the rape on June 5th, 1999.
Mr Denis Vaughan Buckley SC, prosecuting, told the jury the main evidence in the case was of visual identification. He said the accused was arrested by Det Garda Noirin Feeney, with the assistance of two of the victim's young male friends, after a chase.
The woman told Mr Vaughan Buckley she had gone to Nimmo's Pier at about 4.30 a.m. with four male friends to watch the sun rise. The men left before sunrise and she remained alone. A man rode up to her on a bicycle and after engaging her in conversation began kissing her. She resisted him but she passed out due to his having his hand on her throat. When she came to, she found her jeans and panties had been removed. He said he was going to have sex with her and put on a condom. She tried to scream for help but couldn't because of a throat infection.
The man raped her despite her pleadings and asked her if she was enjoying it. He told her she wouldn't be hurt if she stayed quiet. The rape lasted 20 minutes.
The woman told Mr Vaughan Buckley she went to the gardai with a friend right after the incident and described the rapist.
Some days later while walking with a female friend at Eyre Square she pointed out the accused as the rapist. She went to call the gardai while her friend followed the man to a pub.
Det Garda Noirin Feeney came to the pub with her and two of her male house-mates. She was just bracing herself to go in when the man emerged. When Det Garda Feeney showed her identification to him, he ran off.
The hearing continues.