Man admits rape of friend after plea change

A MAN on trial for raping and attempting to rape a female friend in Cork over two years ago has dramatically changed his plea at the Central Criminal Court after a day of legal argument.

It was the third day of the trial of the 44-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons. He had pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape, one count of attempted rape and one count of sexual assault in Cork on dates between September 12 and 13, 2008.

One of the rape charges was later changed to attempted rape after a ruling by the trial judge.