Tipperary man pleads not guilty to raping young woman

A jury at the Central Criminal Court has been told that a Tipperary man raped a young woman who had fallen asleep fully clothed on a bed after celebrating her 19th birthday with him and other friends.

The 25-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to raping her on November 21, 2004.

Prosecuting counsel, Ms Pauline Walley SC (with Mr Garnet Orange BL) said the woman would give evidence that she, the accused and her father had some more drinks in her home after returning from several hours celebrating her birthday with friends and other family members.

Ms Walley said the woman would tell how she and the accused both lay down fully-clothed on a bed and chatted as they had often done before. She would say she fell asleep at some stage and woke to find the accused raping her.

A complaint was made to the gardaí and the woman was medically examined. The accused told gardaí he had consensual sex with her.

The hearing of evidence from the woman is scheduled to start in the morning before Mr Justice Roderick Murphy and a jury of eight women and four men.