Cork man denies rape of partner's sister
A Cork man has denied raping his partner’s teenage sister and said that “the allegations were thrown about without evidence or proof”.
“You have to prove my guilt which you can’t because I didn’t do it,” the 35-year-old told Isobel Kennedy SC, prosecuting.
“I had to sit and listen to horrible things being said about me,” he continued in reference to the now 23-year-old complainant giving evidence via video-link at the Central Criminal Court today.
“I have been waiting for ten years for my chance to have my say. I have done nothing but look out for that family,” the accused continued.
The man has pleaded not guilty to two charges of raping the then 15-year-old in his Cork home on dates between February and September 2004.
Earlier the man told his counsel Tim O’Leary SC that he never had sex or any sexual contact with the complainant. He said he never got into bed with her.
The court heard that the man had suggested to gardaí when he was interviewed in May 2005 that the reason the girl made the allegations was because he did not get on with his partner’s mother.
He said the woman wanted him out of the house he shared with her daughter.
The accused agreed with Ms Kennedy that he had a falling out with his partner’s mother but said it was because she criticized the couple over what clothes they put on their young son and he was just standing up for them.
He denied that he ever threatened the complainant that she would not see her nephew again if she told anyone about the rape.
The trial has reached closing stages and the jury have heard speeches from both the prosecution and defence.
The jury of six men and six women are expected to retire tomorrow following an address from Justice Paul Carney.
