Mayo father acquitted of rape

The Mayo father on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the alleged rape of his teenage daughter has been found not guilty by direction of the judge on 36 of the 56 charges against him.

Mr Justice Kevin O'Higgins told the jury that following legal argument in its absence he was directing them to bring in a verdict of not guilty on 36 of the charges, including all ten charges of rape, ten of oral rape and 16 of sexual assault.

The 48-year-old man had pleaded not guilty to 56 counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault of his daughter on dates from 2000-2003 at venues in Counties Mayo and Galway.

Mr Justice O'Higgins told the jury that it still has to consider 20 remaining counts - eight of oral rape and 12 of sexual assault - on dates from 2000-2003 at venues in Counties Mayo and Galway.

Earlier, the accused denied in evidence that he had committed the offences as alleged by his daughter.

Closing speeches from prosecuting counsel, Mr Brendan Grehan SC, and defence counsel, Mr Paddy McCarthy SC, have been heard by the jury of eight men and four women which will begin its deliberation when Mr Justice O'Higgins concludes his charge on Wednesday.