Book of evidence to be served on man accused of raping Cork woman in her home

It was alleged the woman suffered slash wounds during her struggle to escape

Once the book of evidence is served the case will be sent forward from Cork District Court to be dealt with at the Central Criminal Court.

A book of evidence will be served on March 23 on a man accused of falsely imprisoning and raping a woman at her home in Cork city while he was carrying two knives.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis confirmed at Cork District Court that the book of evidence was ready for service. A technical reason prevented service of the book today so Judge Mary Dorgan adjourned the case until Monday for service of the book.

Detective Garda Patrick Houlihan charged the accused, aged 44, last month with raping the woman at her home in Cork. The man replied: “She wanted to have sex with me. I did not do anything against her.”

To the charge of being in possession of two knives contrary to the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act at the time of the alleged incident, the accused man said: “She agreed with it, she called me there.” Thirdly, he was accused of falsely imprisoning the woman and he replied: “It is not true.” 

Once the book of evidence is served the case will be sent forward from Cork District Court to be dealt with at the Central Criminal Court.

The defendant was previously charged with assaulting the woman contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

Frank Buttimer solicitor represented the accused man in Cork District Court.

The case arose from the investigation of a reported incident at 9am on February 10, 2025, at a location in Cork city where it was alleged that a man fled from the scene and was found with the assistance of a garda helicopter on waste ground nearby.

It was alleged that a man forced his way into a house where he threatened a woman, who was at home alone with a child, and subjected her to a serious assault. Gardai cordoned off the area outside this house.

It was further reported that the woman managed to get free at around 9.40am on the day. It was alleged that the woman had to take her child with her, and run outside in her slippers to a premises across the road from her house and that she suffered slash wounds from a bladed instrument during her struggle to escape.

Identification of parties to the case is legally prohibited.