Charges dropped in NI rape case

Two former security guards at St Mary's Teacher Training College in Belfast were angry yesterday after the withdrawal of charges…

Two former security guards at St Mary's Teacher Training College in Belfast were angry yesterday after the withdrawal of charges linked to the rape of a 21-year-old student.

Mr Cornelius Magee (41), from Southwell Street, and Mr Michael Gerard McCausland (38), of Cavanmore Gardens, said their lives had been ruined following an incident in a common room at St Mary's College, Falls Road, last December.

The two men appeared in court a few days later accused of falsely imprisoning the woman. Mr Magee was also charged with threatening to kill her and Mr McCausland with aiding and abetting an unknown man to carry out the rape.

No explanation was given when a prosecution lawyer withdrew the charges at the Magistrates' Court yesterday.