Jury in trial of three men accused of raping woman in a hotel car park continue their deliberations

By Eimear Dodd

The jury in the trial of three men accused of raping a woman in a hotel car park are continuing their deliberations.

It is the State’s case that the woman went for a drive with her friend, the three defendants, and another man.

While the car was stopped in a hotel car park, the three stand accused of separately raping the woman. The three defendants deny all wrongdoing.

The first defendant (22) has pleaded not guilty to rape and sexual assault.

A second defendant (23) has pleaded not guilty to rape, oral rape and two counts of sexual assault. The third defendant (23) has pleaded not guilty to rape and oral rape.

The offences are alleged to have occurred on December 20, 2017, at a hotel car park in the Leinster area.

Today, Ms Justice Melanie Greally provided the jury with a transcript of her directions relating to the issue of consent .

The jury have deliberated for over seven hours since they started their deliberations on Friday last.

Jurors are due to continue their deliberations tomorrow.