Woman denies claiming rape in embarrassment

A woman has denied making an allegation of rape because she was being mocked by her friends, a trial has heard.

The woman was allegedly raped by an acquaintance in an alley during a night out. She needed to go to hospital later that night with severe bleeding, the court heard.

The accused has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to rape of the then 18-year-old in a Donegal town in July 2012.

The trial has heard that after the alleged rape the woman rejoined her friends outside a fast-food outlet and they noticed a blood stain on her dress. Two of her male friends asked her what the stain was.

During cross-examination yesterday, Shane Costelloe, defending, put it to the now 22-year-old woman that she made up a story about being raped because she was embarrassed they were asking her about the stain.

The woman denied this.

Mr Costelloe went on to suggest that the woman wanted to later recant her statement because it was not true.

The woman replied that she asked to withdraw her statement initially because she was “terrified” about how formal the situation was becoming and because she “just wanted to forget all about it”.

She said she later realised how serious it was and found the strength to continue with her complaint.

The trial continues.