Rape accused told gardaí he didn't want to drag complainant 'through the mud'

Man, aged 25, said he would not admit to a rape he did not commit

Memos of interviews the accused man gave to gardaí were read to the judge and jury at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork today. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

The young Kerry man accused of raping a close family friend in her bed told investigating gardaí he did not want to drag her “through the mud” but that he would not admit to a rape he did not commit.

Memos of interviews the accused man gave to gardaí were read to Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty and a jury of seven men and five women at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork today.