'The whole lot is lies,' Cork rape and child cruelty trial hears

The accused said: "My biggest fear was being left without my children – that she would do to me what she did to her ex-husband – that was foremost in my mind.” 

The accused man was cross-examined at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork by prosecution senior counsel Shane Costelloe. File photo

The man accused of raping and sexually assaulting his ex-partner and her son, as well as cruelty to her children, said on Friday: “The whole lot of what they are saying about me is lies.” 

The accused man was cross-examined at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork by prosecution senior counsel Shane Costelloe. It is anticipated that lawyers for the prosecution and defence will give their closing speeches to the jury on Monday before Mr Justice Michael McGrath addresses the five women and seven men of the jury on the legal principles they need to consider when deliberating.