Meath man cleared in Cavan-rape case

A shouting match erupted between two factions after a jury at the Central Criminal Court cleared a Meath man on a charge of raping a now 29-year-old woman in Cavan when she was eight or nine years old.

The 37-year-old married accused had denied raping and indecently assaulting her on two dates between August and December 1988 at an address in County Cavan.

The jury returned not guilty verdicts on both charges after less than two hours deliberation on day-three of the trial.

Mr Justice Paul Carney thanked the five women and seven men of the jury for their care and attention to the case and discharged the accused from the court.