Naval Service crewman cleared of sex assault

A member of the Irish Naval Service was cleared yesterday of sexually assaulting a female crewmate on board one of the State’s fisheries patrol vessels.

Judge Brian Sheridan dismissed the charge against the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, because he said there was a doubt as to the sexual nature of the assault.

The defendant, who had denied the single charge of sexual assault of a female on board a naval vessel at Haulbowline on a date in Jun 2012, contrary to Sec 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990, fought back tears as the charge was dismissed at Midleton District Court. He left flanked by his parents.