Galway rape trial enters final stages

The trial of a Polish man accused of raping and sexually assaulting a Galway woman as she was walking home from her local pub has reached its final stages at the Central Criminal Court.

The 43-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of rape, sexual assault and assault causing harm to the woman in a Galway town on May 9, 2007.

Mr Justice John Edwards has directed the jury of seven men and five women to find him not guilty of robbing the woman of €120 on the same night.

Both prosecuting counsel, Mr Roger Sweetman SC, and defence counsel, Mr Martin Giblin SC, have made their closing addresses to the jury which will begin deliberating after being charged by Mr Justice Edwards.