Friday 30 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 14070Rape · Co. Limerick · 26 Dec 2022

Closing speeches in Limerick juvenile rape trial at Central Criminal Court in Cork

On 26 December 2022, a woman who was 16 at the time alleges she was raped and sexually assaulted in a car at Limerick Racecourse in Patrickswell, Co Limerick, by two boys aged 13 and 15. A 17-year-old boy is charged with false imprisonment and aiding and abetting the other two, and the case is being tried at the Central Criminal Court in Cork before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury. The complainant told the court she never consented, while the defence said she got into the car voluntarily and regretted what happened. The latest reported development, on 2 April 2025, is the closing speeches, with the trial due to continue the following day.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court2 Apr
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Two boys aged 13 and 15 are charged with raping a woman who was 16 at the time of the alleged offence.
Where
The alleged rape and sexual assault took place in a car at Limerick Racecourse in Patrickswell, Co Limerick.
When
The alleged offences took place on 26 December 2022.
Charges
  • One accused, who was 13 at the time, is charged with rape and sexual assault.
  • A 17-year-old boy is charged with false imprisonment and aiding and abetting the other boys.
In court
The trial is being heard at a sitting of the Central Criminal Court in Cork before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury.
Other details
  • The complainant told the court she never consented to have sex with the young men.
  • The defence said the complainant got into the car consensually and regretted what occurred, while the prosecution claimed she consented up to a point.
  • The defence said the complainant was not suggested to be a liar and did not say the 17-year-old locked her in the car or prevented her leaving.
  • In closing, the prosecution said the boys acted as a group in the car, cackling, laughing and encouraging each other.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe alleged rape and sexual assault took place in a car at Limerick Racecourse in Patrickswell, Co Limerick. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offences took place on 26 December 2022. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeTwo teenagers are charged with raping the girl. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeA 17-year-old boy is charged with false imprisonment and aiding and abetting the other boys. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeOne accused is charged with rape and sexual assault and was 13 at the time of the alleged offence. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe trial is being heard at a sitting of the Central Criminal Court in Cork before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe complainant was 16 when she was allegedly raped by two boys aged 13 and 15 in 2022. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe complainant told the court she never consented to have sex with the young men. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherDefence counsel said the complainant got into the car consensually and regretted what occurred. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherDefence counsel said the complainant was not suggested to be a liar. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherDefence counsel said the complainant did not say the 17-year-old had locked her in the car or prevented her leaving. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherDefence counsel said the prosecution claimed the girl consented up to a point. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe prosecution said in closing that the boys acted as a group in the car, cackling, laughing and encouraging each other. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Apr2025
    In courtlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Barrister in Limerick juvenile rape case says complainant got in to car consensually and regretted what occurred

    Court report on the closing speeches in a juvenile rape trial at the Central Criminal Court in Cork; no matching existing case.

    victim, 16 at the time of the alleged offence, femaleaccused, 13 at the time of the alleged offence, maleaccused, 15 at the time of the alleged offence, maleaccused, 17, male