One of two boys accused of rape at racecourse unable to attend Cork trial for third day due to illness

Judge sent the jury home for the day but assured them the absent defendant would be in court on Friday

The jury will return to the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork on Friday, when the trial will resume.

For the third day, the trial of a 13-year-old boy accused of raping a 16-year-old girl at a Christmas race meeting in Limerick could not proceed on Thursday because of a medical situation that arose for the accused.

For the third time, Mr Justice Paul McDermott sent the jury home for the day because the trial of three teenagers — including the absent boy — could not proceed in his absence.