Trial of man accused of raping daughter in closing stages

The closing stages have been reached in the trial at the Central Criminal Court of a Dublin father who denies raping and sexually abusing his teenage daughter.

The closing stages have been reached in the trial at the Central Criminal Court of a Dublin father accused of raping and sexually abusing his teenage daughter.

The 39-year-old accused has pleaded not guilty to 36 charges of sexually assaulting and three charges of raping the teenager at their Dublin home on dates from May 1996 to January 2006.

The hearing of evidence has concluded and the jury has heard their final addresses from prosecuting counsel, Mr Paul Coffey SC (with Mr Michael Bowman BL), and defence counsel, Mr Diarmaid McGuinness SC (with Ms Anne-Marie Lawlor BL).

The four women and seven men will retire later to begin deliberating on day-seven of the trial when Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy has finished his charge.

One female juror who admitted before the court that she spoke to a person in the company of the accused yesterday morning has been discharged from further jury service.

When Mr Justice McCarthy asked the remaining 11 members if the woman had said anything to them concerning the case, they replied in chorus: "No, the problem has been dealt with."