Rape accused admits lying to gardaí

A man on trial for the rape and sexual assault of a woman with a history of mental illness has told a Central Criminal Court jury that he lied to gardaí when he denied knowing the woman or having contact of a sexual nature with her.

The 31-year-old accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape, sexual assault and entering a premises as a trespasser with the intent to commit sexual assault on January 16, 2007.