Rape accused linked to victim through DNA
The Limerick man alleged to have raped a woman walking home alone in the early hours of Halloween Night two years ago has been linked to her through DNA matching.
Dr Fiona Thornton, a scientist with the Garda Forensic Laboratory, told the Central Criminal Court she found the DNA matching on the accused's jeans.
Dr Thornton told prosecuting counsel, Ms Deirdre Murphy SC (with Ms Karen O'Connor BL), that a mixture of DNA was found on a sample from the crotch of the jeans he had been wearing on the night.
This DNA was found to be a full match for both the accused and the woman.
The 21-year-old Limerick man has pleaded not guilty to raping and sexually assaulting the woman on October 31, 2005 in a County Limerick town.
Dr Thornton told Mr Anthony Salmon SC (with Mr Laurence Gouchier BL), defending, that it couldn't be ruled out that DNA from a kiss had been transferred to the hand and then to the jeans but it would take a large sample of DNA for this to be possible and the hand would have to be very wet.
The trial continues before Mr Justice Barry White and the jury of five women and seven men.
