Gardai to investigate allegation that rape details revealed outside court

Gardai have been asked by a High Court judge to investigate an allegation that a male juror in a recent rape trial revealed details…

Gardai have been asked by a High Court judge to investigate an allegation that a male juror in a recent rape trial revealed details of the case at work and in a public house.

Two Central Criminal Court officials gave evidence of receiving phone calls alleging the juror was "mouthing off" about the case and telling everyone what the verdict would be.

Mr Justice Carney said complainants were guaranteed confidentiality but due to the system of arraignment in the courts in such cases, it was necessary to name them before potential jurors when the charges were being read out.

He said it was his practice in all rape cases to warn the jury panel that it constituted contempt to name the complainants in these cases outside the court.

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Mr Justice Carney said that it would appear from the evidence that some people may have ignored the warnings.