Court hears medical evidence in sex assault trial

The jury in the trial of an Offaly man accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in remote woodlands nine years ago has been hearing medical evidence in the case.

The now 45-year-old accused has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to one charge of falsely imprisoning the now 23-year-old woman in a car on November 6, 2000 and counts of aggravated sexual assault and sexual assault against her on the same date.

Dr. Kevin Connolly, Consultant Paediatrician, told prosecuting counsel, Mr Paul Coffey SC (with Ms Dara Foynes BL), that he examined the girl the day of the alleged incident.

He said she gave a history of having been sexually abused at about 1am that morning and said the abuser had bitten her ear and penetrated her.

Dr Connolly said he found an abrasion on her chin and bruising around her left ear and neck. He said there was swelling on part of her external genitalia and her hymen was intact.

He said his findings were consistent with the girl having been sexually abused in the past 48 hours but that there was no evidence of full vaginal penetration having occurred.

Dr Connolly agreed with defence counsel, Mr Hugh Hartnett SC (with Mr Micheál O’Connor BL), during cross examination that one of the bruises appeared to be some days old.

The trial continues on Monday before Mr Justice Barry White and a jury of four men and eight women.