Court hears details of alleged Wexford rape

The jury in the trial at the Central Criminal Court of a Wexford man charged with raping a 14-year-old baby-sitter has heard that no trace of semen was found on swabs taken from the alleged victim.

The 30-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to raping and sexually assaulting the teenager in his sister's home in a Wexford town on November 25, 2006.

Dr Ellen McGovern told prosecuting counsel, Mr Thomas Creed SC (with Mr Sean Gillane BL), that the complainant told her she had been baby-sitting for a neighbour when the accused came in and began kissing and fondling her.

Dr McGovern said the girl told her she then got a phone call and he left for a time but returned and resumed kissing and fondling her before inserting his fingers in her vagina and then raping her.

The teenager told her she felt sore afterwards. in that area and saw blood coming from it. She said her last menstrual period had been about a fortnight beforehand.

Dr McGovern said she found an area of redness in the girl's vulva and some blood higher up in the vagina but she had to stop the examination at that stage because it was becoming too difficult for the teenager.

Dr McGovern said her findings were consistent with what the teenager claimed had happened.

Dr McGovern told defence counsel, Mr John O'Kelly SC (with Mr Colman Cody BL), that she took higher and lower vaginal swabs from the complainant which were forwarded for forensic examination.

Dr David Casey, a biologist with the Forensic Science Laboratory, agreed with Mr O'Kelly that no (NO) trace of semen was found on the vaginal swabs taken from the complainant.

The prosecution case has ended and the closing stages of the hearing will begin next Tuesday before Mr Justice Paul Carney and a jury of four women and eight men.