Outline of prosecution evidence given in rape trial
Galway Bay fm newsroom - The trial of a 40 year old man charged with raping a girl in the city two years ago continues tomorrow.
The jury heard evidence today the girl was at a sleepover in her friend's house when the alleged attack took place.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has pleaded not guilty to raping the then 15-year-old girl at a house in the city on April 17, 2011.
Alexander Owens SC, prosecuting, said it would be alleged the girls were alone in the house with three other girls having a sleepover.
He said the accused arrived at the house that evening and was drinking rum while watching TV with the group of girls.
During the evening he made a pass at the victim by attempting to kiss her but she pushed him away.
Later that night some of the girls slept on a sofa downstairs while the victim and her friend went to sleep in a double bedroom upstairs.
The girl, he said, would allege she woke at one point to find the accused over her friend who was in a deep sleep.
She told him to get out of the bedroom and he ran downstairs.
She heard the back door close and went down to lock it, thinking the accused had left.
However, as she turned away from the door, she found the accused standing behind her.
He pushed her down onto the kitchen table which collapsed under them.
She then managed to flee upstairs to her friend's room but the accused followed her and dragged her into the box room where he raped her.
The trial continues tomorrow when it's expected the alleged victim will give evidence by video link.