A Cork woman told a jury at the Central Criminal Court that while being raped she thought of another woman who had been raped and murdered. She claimed she had been protecting herself with her left hand and trying to force the man she met earlier away with her other hand but then agreed to his request to sit on his exposed penis because she was scared. The woman told Mr Justice Smith and a jury she smashed his car window at one time because her screams were not being heard.
A 28-year-old Cork man has pleaded not guilty to rape, attempted rape and aggravated sexual assault on the woman on March 22nd, 1997, in a Cork town.
The now 25-year-old alleged victim agreed in cross-examination by defence counsel, Mr Anthony Sammon SC (with Ms Mary Ellen Ring) that much of the statement made by the accused two days later to gardai about what happened was correct but not all. She agreed she had engaged in French kissing with the accused
but said she didn't class kissing as a sexual activity. She denied that it was she who had suggested she sit on the accused or that she had voluntarily removed much of her clothing.
Earlier, the woman told prosecuting counsel, Mr Raphael Sutton SC (with Mr Fergal Foley) she had been with friends in a pub before going to the disco where she met the accused. She went with him and his friend and another woman to a fast-food shop and he suggested he would drive both women home afterwards.
She said they began kissing in his car while waiting for the others and this continued after the other couple got out later. She went to the toilet and when she returned they resumed kissing. The accused then began feeling her breasts and putting his hand between her legs but she told him she didn't want to do anything like that.
She claimed the accused removed her skirt and tights and later tore her panties before letting down his own trousers and underpants. He was on top of her between her legs at this time. After she refused his request for oral sex he kissed her genital area. She was very scared and screaming. She shielded her vagina to try to stop him penetrating her. He told her to stop screaming or he would "f.....g murder me". She kicked out and shattered the car window. "He just went a bit crazy then and had his hand over my face and mouth".
She agreed to sit on his exposed penis and he got an erection with which he penetrated her. She eventually persuaded him to let her out to go to the toilet.
She said she ran to a nearby house and the housewife answered the door. This woman alerted her husband who went looking for the accused's car but it was gone. They also called the Garda who left her home. The trial continues.