Rape trial adjourned until tomorrow

The opening of the trial of a Donegal man charged with raping a woman three years ago has been adjourned at the Central Criminal Court until tomorrow.

Mr Justice Paul Carney told the jury of four men and eight women which was sworn in last Monday that there was "a technical reason" for the postponement of the trial which had been scheduled to start today.

He said the trial would possibly continue into late next week and excused one woman who told him she would have difficulty getting cover to mind her child because she had no family in Dublin.

Both prosecuting counsel, Mr Patrick Gageby SC (with Ms Sinead McGrath BL) and Mr Michael O'Higgins SC (with Ms Grainne Lee BL) for the accused agreed to continue with 11 jurors.

The 39-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to raping a woman in a Donegal town on June 19, 2005.