Case No. 3138Rape, assault causing harm, threats to kill · Co. Carlow
Carlow rape trial jury discharged after jurors conducted private online research
The jury in a Carlow rape trial at the Central Criminal Court was discharged by Mr Justice Micheal Ó Higgins on 7 May 2026 after it emerged that some jurors had carried out private research on the internet, contrary to the judge's explicit instructions. The defendant was remanded on continuing bail to 13 May to fix a new trial date.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court7 May
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports20 statements extracted from the articles
- chargeThe trial involved allegations of rape, assault causing harm and threats to kill (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- courtA High Court judge discharged the jury in a Carlow rape trial after jurors carried out internet research about the case (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial opened two weeks before the article was published (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury at the Central Criminal Court began deliberations on Tuesday (irishtimes.com)
- courtJurors had deliberated for four and a half hours when the issue came to light on Wednesday (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge said consideration was given to initiating contempt of court proceedings (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe court decided to leave matters as they stand but left it open to the DPP to initiate contempt proceedings (irishtimes.com)
- courtCounsel for the State and the defendant both applied to have the jury discharged (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe prosecuting counsel was Eoin Lawlor SC (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe defendant was remanded on continuing bail to 13 May to fix a new trial date (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe jury in the Carlow rape trial was discharged by the High Court judge. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial opened two weeks before 7 May 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe jury began deliberations on Tuesday 5 May 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJurors had deliberated for four and a half hours before the judge suspended deliberations. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge considered initiating contempt of court proceedings but decided to leave matters as they stand. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtA note was passed to the judge on Wednesday outlining a juror's concerns about the actions of other jurors. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial is being held at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe jury consisted of four men and eight women (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe court did not know the identity of the jurors who did not comply with the judge's directions (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe Law Reform Commission has recommended the creation of a distinct offence for jury members bringing in outside material. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 7 May2026Carlow rape trial jury discharged after some jurors did research online
Reports the discharge of the jury in the Carlow rape trial, the judge's comments on the jurors' conduct, the consideration of contempt proceedings, and the remand of the defendant to fix a new trial date.
victimaccused - 7 May2026Jury discharged in rape trial after members searched internet about case
Reports the discharge of the jury, the judge's comments on the jurors' internet research, the DPP's decision not to invite contempt proceedings, and the defendant's remand to 13 May for a new trial date.
victimaccused