Westmeath man acquitted of raping woman he met at New Year's Eve ball

Wearing a navy suit and tie, the man collapsed into his arms and took a deep breath when the verdict was read out. File picture: iStock

A Westmeath man has been found not guilty of raping a woman after they met at a New Years Eve ball at a GAA clubhouse, in what was the first jury trial to conclude at the Central Criminal Court since the Covid-19 lockdown.

The 33-year-old man had pleaded not guilty to rape at his home in Westmeath on January 1, 2017.