Jury continues deliberations in Limerick sexual assault trial

A verdict is still pending in the Central Criminal Court trial of a 28‑year‑old man accused of forcing a 16‑year‑old boy to perform oral sex in a Limerick City toilet.

The jury, composed of six men and six women, resumed deliberations on Monday after a weekend break but failed to reach any decision. Judge Mr Justice Sean Gillane told the jury it could return a majority verdict of 11‑1 or 10‑2 if unanimity proved impossible. The jury was sent home again on Monday and will reconvene on Tuesday.

The accused has pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual assault, Section 4 rape, relating to an incident on 8 November 2024. The prosecution, led by senior counsel Lorcan Connolly, barrister Lily Buckley and state solicitor Orla Farrell, argued the man non‑consensually penetrated the complainant’s mouth.

Defence senior counsel Mark Nicholas, instructed by Kenny Keirns of Kiely McCarthy Solicitors, accepted that oral sex occurred but claimed the teen instigated and willingly participated. Under cross‑examination, the complainant, now 18, said he did not protest, turn away, or shout during the alleged act and had been using the Grindr app five days earlier.

CCTV showed the boy waiting near the toilets after the incident, and a swab taken at a sexual assault treatment centre matched the accused’s semen. No physical injuries were recorded.

Both sides have urged the jury to consider the evidence carefully, with the defence describing the allegations as “pure fantasy” and the prosecution urging a finding of guilt.

Source: Limerick Post. Photo: d_odd_y / Pexels.