The jury in trial of a man charged with raping an elderly woman in a Dublin park was discharged yesterday. Mr Justice McCracken's decision came after a day of legal argument in the Central Criminal Court. The case was listed for mention on January 15th.
The man, in his 30s, had pleaded not guilty to rape, aggravated sexual assault and sexual assault of a 70-year-old woman in August, 1996. He had also pleaded not guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on her with intent to maim, disfigure or disable and another charge of wounding her with intent.