'Mr C' goes free

The man whose successful Supreme Court challenge led to the unlawful carnal knowledge legislation being declared unconstitutional has had sexual assault charges against him dropped at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Ms Isobel Kennedy SC, prosecuting, told Judge Patricia Ryan that the State wished to enter a nolle prosequi in relation to the charges against the man known as "Mr C".

Mr Brendan Nix SC (with Ms Marie Torrens BL), defending said that as no further charges were outstanding against his client he should be discharged from the indictment.

"Mr C" was facing the sexual assault charges after a nolle prosequi had been entered earlier in relation to the unlawful carnal knowledge charge following the Supreme Court ruling.