Woman may have 'felt raped', says accused

A Louth man accused of sexually attacking two women after offering them lifts home said he wanted to apologise to them for “a drunken mistake”, his trial has heard.

The 27-year-old, who is accused of raping one woman and sexually assaulting another, also told gardaí one of the women might have “felt raped” afterwards but that she had the opportunity to escape.

He said during interview that both the encounters were consensual but he wanted to write two notes of apology to the women.

When asked what he wanted to say to the woman he is alleged to have sexually assaulted, he replied: “Sorry for making her feel uncomfortable and that her life was any way in danger. It was a drunken mistake.”

When asked what he wanted to say to the alleged rape victim he replied: “A drunken mistake, I didn’t rape her, it was a drunken mistake.”

The accused agreed with gardaí that women “pissed him off”, saying “women piss everyone off”.

Referring to the alleged rape victim, he told gardaí: “I’m very surprised the second one said anything, I thought we were getting on well.”

Referring to the alleged sex assault victim he said she “might accept an apology for making her feel uncomfortable.”

He claimed he had kissed and hugged her consensually but that she was very drunk and tired.

The 27-year-old accused has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to rape, oral rape, attempted rape and false imprisonment of one woman and sexual assault of another on September 16, 2007 in Co Louth.

Garda Padraig Keegan told prosecuting counsel, Ms Caroline Biggs SC, that the accused claimed in interview he offered the first women a lift home outside a chipper and on the way home they stopped and kissed each other consensually.

He claimed he then dropped her home and drove back towards the main town where he saw another woman by the side of the road looking upset. She asked for a lift home and he agreed. He said she was crying and complaining about her boyfriend on the way.

The accused told gardaí that he pulled over the car and he and the women were talking and kissing, which led to consensual sex. He claimed he asked her afterwards: “I hope you don’t regret it because I don’t want to be accused of anything.”

He agreed with gardaí that he was referring to rape when he said this and that he asked her because “I don’t trust women”.

“Sure look where I am today”, he added.

Gardaí asked him if he usually asks women such things when he is having sex with them.

“It’s the first thing men think about when they have sex with a stranger,” he replied.

“She might have felt raped after she got out of the car but she had plenty of opportunities to get out of the car.”

Gda Keegan agreed with defence counsel, Mr Kerian Kelly BL, that the accused was consistent and steadfast in his denials throughout his several interviews.

He further agreed that when gardaí brought up the possibility of forensic evidence tests, the accused maintained his denials.

The trial continues before Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan and a jury of six men and six women.