Jury fails to reach verdict in case of man accused of raping his mother

A jury in the trial of a 44-year-old Dublin man accused of raping his 65-year-old mother has been discharged today after failing to reach a verdict.

The accused had pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to raping the woman at her home between March 2 and 3, 2008.

The jury of seven men and five women told the judge they could not agree after nearly six hours of deliberation on day seven of the trial.

The jury foreman said they had “reached an impasse and don’t think we can overcome it”.

Mr Justice Paul Butler thanked the jury for their service and exempted them from further service for five years.

The matter is listed in October to fix a trial date.