Roscommon man denies rape allegations

The Roscommon man accused of raping a babysitter over two decades ago has denied her allegations in evidence on day-four of his trial at the Central Criminal Court.

The 58-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to one charge of raping her in 1982 and 29 charges of indecently assaulting her on dates between 1979 and 1986.

He said in evidence that the allegations made by the now 36-year-old woman untrue and that what she alleged he did never happened. "I never went near her," he said.

The final stages of the trial are now in progress with the jury listening to closing speeches from prosecuting counsel Mr Anthony Sammon SC (with Mr Vincent Heneghan BL) and defence counsel Mr Martin Giblin SC (with Mr Francis Comerford BL).

The jury of seven men and five women will start deliberating later today (MON) at the conclusion of his charge by Mr Justice Kevin O'Higgins.