The prosecution in the trial of a Cork man accused of rape and murder was "blinded by science" - in this case DNA evidence - a defence lawyer claimed yesterday.
Closing speeches were being heard before Mr Justice Butler and a jury in the Central Criminal Court.
An 18-year-old man denies the rape and murder of Rachel Kiely (22) at the Regional Park, Ballincollig, Co Cork, on October 26th, 2000. He and his family cannot be named for legal reasons.
In his closing speech, Mr P.J. McCarthy SC, prosecuting, said the man's parents lied in the witness-box to protect him. The father had "deliberately thrown" lies and innuendo into the case to cast doubt on the conduct of the Garda investigation.
The jury could rely on ample evidence of "opportunity, fibres, DNA and the lies told" to convict the accused of the rape and murder of Ms Kiely, counsel said.
Her place of death, coupled with other evidence and the conclusion of the State Pathologist, Dr John Harbison, that she tried to escape her attacker, indicated "an attempted flight after prior sexual activity where there was no question of consent in any way".
Mr Blaise O'Carroll SC, defending, accused the prosecution of being "blinded by science".
Referring to the case of the Birmingham Six and how apparently convincing forensic evidence was eventually thoroughly discredited, he said that DNA evidence also had a "frightening danger" attached to it.
The trial reaches its concluding stages today.