Victim in Waterford rape case breaks down in court

A Waterford woman broke down in tears while telling the Central Criminal Court that the man on trial raped her as a school girl and told her "this is our secret".

The 55-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of rape, oral rape and sexual assault of the then 11-14 year-old girl on dates unknown from January 1, 1994 and December 31, 1997.

The now 24-year-old woman told prosecuting counsel, Mr Gerard Clarke SC (with Ms Fiona Murphy BL) that the accused called her away from watching television while she was on a visit to his house and told her to get into bed with him, saying he "had something to tell her."

She broke down in tears as she claimed that he was rubbing his penis before, she said, he grabbed her and lay on top of her while "moaning away to himself."

She said she felt his penis enter her vagina and when he finished she lay there crying as he rolled over and went to sleep. She then locked herself in the bathroom and sat in the empty bath crying.

The woman also said the accused used to take her to the feed shed behind his house and put his penis in her mouth as well as making her masturbate him. She said this would go on for a few minutes after which he would say "this is our secret".

The woman denied a suggestion by defence counsel, Ms Isobel Kennedy BL (with Ms Catherine Staines BL), that none of the alleged incidents occurred and she was never sufficiently alone with the accused for these things to happen due to his working hours and the habits of the rest of his family.

The hearing continues before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of five men and seven women.