Clare rape trial collapses
The trial of a Clare resident accused of raping and threatening to kill his pregnant ex-partner in her home has collapsed at the Central Criminal Court with the discharge of the jury.
Mr Justice Barry White discharged the jury just before the final stages were due to begin on day-10 of the hearing with closing speeches by counsel for the prosecuiton, Ms Pauline Walley SC (with Mr Vincent Heneghan BL), and defence, Mr John Phelan SC (with Mr Michael Bowman BL),
Mr Justice White told the five women and seven men of the jury that as a result of developments during the hearing on the last day he had no option but to end the trial at this stage.
He remanded the 43-year-old accused to appear again in the morning for mention of the case.
The man has pleaded not guilty to seven charges arising out of the alleged incident in the complainant's Clare home on September 9, 2007.
He denies three charges of rape, anal rape and oral rape of the woman, one charge each of falsely imprisoning and threatening to kill her, aggravated burglary using a single-action shotgun and unlawful possession of a firearm, all on the same occasion.
He has pleaded guilty to one charge of assaulting her on the same occasion, causing her harm.
