Waterford chef found not guilty of oral rape

A Waterford chef has been found not guilty of orally raping a then 15-year-old waitress at the local rugby grounds over two years ago.

The jury returned the verdict after deliberating for almost eight hours at the Central Criminal Court, but disagreed on two further charges of anal rape and sexual assault on the woman on the same occasion on September 3, 2000.

Mr Justice Diarmuid O'Donovan discharged the jury after being told by the foreman that there wasn't any chance of it reaching a verdict on these charges.

Mr Justice O'Donovan released the jury of five men and seven women from jury service for the rest of their lives, if they chose that option, as thanks for their efforts on this case. The jury spent Friday night in a hotel.

The 42-year-old accused had denied all the charges in the six-day hearing. He has been remanded on continuing bail to February 27 for setting a new trial date for the outstanding charges.