Irish backpackers accused of rape

Two Irish backpackers appeared in court in Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory today charged with raping a Canadian woman in the city.

The two Irish students, aged 19 and 20, were released on bail after facing Darwin Magistrates’ Court on multiple charges of sexual intercourse without consent and deprivation of liberty.

The woman’s age and identity was not released and the men were not identified.

Police prosecutor David Moore told the court the two men were walking the Canadian woman back to her hostel early on Thursday morning after drinking at a Darwin bar. The men pushed the woman into a lane and repeatedly raped her, Moore said.

Moore said the woman flew to Cairns in north Queensland state, where she reported the incident to police and was taken to hospital.

The 19-year-old man was charged with seven counts of sexual intercourse without consent, one count of deprivation of liberty and one count of aggravated assault.

The 20-year-old man was charged with six counts of sexual intercourse without consent, one count of deprivation of liberty and one count of aggravated assault.

Defence lawyer Alex Hill said the two men would fight the charges on the issue on consent.

“The allegations are categorically denied,” Hill said.

Magistrate Greg Cavanagh released the two men on bail on the condition they surrendered their passports. Cavanagh adjourned the case to an undetermined date in July when a preliminary hearing will be held.