Ireland Rape trial halted after doctor giving evidence treats two jurors
On 26 December 2022, a 16-year-old girl was allegedly raped in a car at Limerick racecourse in Patrickswell, Co Limerick. Two boys, aged 13 and 15 at the time of the alleged offence, are charged with rape, and a third teenager is charged with aiding and abetting them and falsely imprisoning the girl. All three deny the charges. On 18 March 2025, the trial at the Central Criminal Court in Cork was halted after a juror fainted and a second juror had an emergency cardiac episode while Dr Aoife Fanning, who examined the complainant, was giving evidence. The court was adjourned, Dr Fanning is to give evidence by video link, and the trial was adjourned until the next morning.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court18 Mar
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Two boys are charged with raping a 16-year-old girl.
- A third teenager is charged with aiding and abetting the two boys and falsely imprisoning the girl.
- Where
- The alleged rape took place in a car at Limerick racecourse in Patrickswell, Co Limerick.
- When
- The alleged offence took place on 26 December 2022.
- Other details
- The two boys were 13 and 15 at the time of the alleged offence.
- Dr Fanning noted four bruises on the girl's body and scratches on the back of her legs.
- On 18 March 2025, a juror fainted while Dr Fanning was giving evidence, and she left the stand to treat the juror.
- Another juror had an emergency cardiac episode over lunchtime and was assessed and treated.
- Investigation
- Dr Aoife Fanning examined the complainant at the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit in University Hospital Limerick on the evening of 26 December 2022.
- In court
- The trial is being heard at the Central Criminal Court in Cork.
- The court was cleared shortly before noon, and the case was adjourned to see whether the juror could resume duties.
- Dr Fanning will now give evidence by video link.
- The trial was adjourned until the next morning.
- Charges
- The three defendants deny all the charges against them.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe alleged rape took place in a car at Limerick racecourse in Patrickswell. (rte.ie)
- whenThe alleged offence took place on 26 December 2022. (rte.ie)
- investigationDr Fanning examined the complainant at the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit in University Hospital Limerick. (rte.ie)
- chargeTwo boys are charged with raping a 16-year-old girl. (rte.ie)
- chargeA third teenager is charged with aiding and abetting the two youths and falsely imprisoning the girl. (rte.ie)
- courtThe trial was held at the Central Criminal Court in Cork. (rte.ie)
- courtThe court was cleared shortly before noon and the juror was assessed and treated. (rte.ie)
- courtThe case was adjourned to see whether the juror could resume duties. (rte.ie)
- courtDr Fanning will now give evidence by video link. (rte.ie)
- courtThe trial was adjourned until the next morning. (rte.ie)
- courtThe three defendants deny all the charges against them. (rte.ie)
- otherThe two boys were 13 and 15 at the time of the alleged offence. (rte.ie)
- otherA juror fainted and a doctor giving evidence treated the juror. (rte.ie)
- otherAnother juror had an emergency cardiac episode over lunchtime. (rte.ie)
- otherDr Fanning noted four bruises on the girl's body and scratches on the back of her legs. (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 18 Mar2025Trial halted as doctor giving evidence treats two jurors
Court report on a trial heard in Cork of two boys charged with raping a 16-year-old girl in Patrickswell, Co Limerick. Covers the halt in proceedings after two jurors were medically treated, and the adjournment.
accused, 13 at time of alleged offence, maleaccused, 15 at time of alleged offence, maleaccusedvictim, 16, female