Man on trial accused of raping woman with learning difficulties

A Louth man has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court accused of orally raping a young woman with learning difficulties.

The man, who can not be named for legal reasons, has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting the woman by penetrating her mouth with his genitals on December 11, 2008.

Prosecuting counsel, Ms Caroline Biggs SC (with Mr Stephen McCann BL), in opening the case, told the jury that it will be alleged that while the young woman was attending a dance the accused man asked her to follow him outside and she did so.

She said it would be the prosecution case that the man asked her for a “blow job” and when she refused he persisted saying: “Go on, go on.” It is alleged the act then took place.

Ms Biggs told the jury they would hear from gardaí that when the man was arrested and charged he denied the allegations and said that he “did not rape anybody.”

The trial continues before Mr Justice Barry White and a jury of five women and seven men.