Rape trial of Roscommon man continues
A Roscommon man charged with raping a baby-sitter over two decades ago totally denied her allegations and told gardaí today that he would be remorseful only if he had done all the things she claimed.
The 58-year-old man has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to one charge of raping her in 1982 and 29 charges of indecently assaulting her on dates between 1979 and 1986.
Detective Sergeant John Hynes told prosecuting counsel, Mr Vincent Heneghan BL (with Mr Anthony Sammon SC), that he arrested the accused on March 15, 2005 after the woman lodged her complaints.
Det Sgt Hynes said that during a videotaped interview the accused rejected all the woman's allegations.
He replied variously "That is not true", "That did not happen", "That is not correct", "I never went near her" to the individual claims made by the now 36-year-old woman as they were put to him in interview by witness and Garda Colm Horgan at Castelrea Garda Station.
Det Gda Hynes said the accused replied "I have nothing to be remorseful for" when gardai suggested to him that he could "get it off your chest" by admitting her claims.
"If I done all those things you have written down from her, I would be remorseful," the accused said.
The trial continues before Mr Justice Kevin O'Higgins and a jury of seven men and five women.
