A woman told the Central Criminal Court she was raped by a man with whom she arranged to go to a disco. A 32-year-old Tipperary man has pleaded not guilty to the rape and sexual assault in Co Limerick on December 29th, 1996.
The 29-year-old alleged victim told Mr Denis Vaughan Buckley SC, prosecuting, she noticed the accused driving in a different direction to the disco and shouted "Help" when they arrived at an old sandpit. She tried to run but the accused dragged her back into the car, where he raped her.
She asked the accused if he would meet her the following day and had planned to inform the gardai. He didn't meet her as planned and she went ahead and contacted the gardai. Garda.
Earlier, the jury heard Mr Vaughan Buckley read a statement the accused made to gardai where he claimed he said to the woman it was too late to go to the disco and suggested they go for a drive. She did not reply. He told
gardai he stopped his car near the gates of the sandpit and they both got out to go to the toilet.
Back in the car they kissed and he fondled her. He claimed she wanted to go to the toilet again and then refused to get back into the car. He said he told her to stop being "foolish" and dragged her into the car where he claimed they had sexual intercourse.
The trial continues.