The Jury in the trial of a Clare man accused of raping his pregnant ex-partner is expected to retire to consider a verdict today.
The 44 year old man, who’s originally from England has pleaded not (NOT) guilty to 11 charges in all which are alleged to have taken place in the course of a seven hour ordeal at the woman’s home in County Clare on September 9, 2007.
He pleaded guilty in December 2008 to assaulting the woman but denies hitting her with the gun on the night in question.
The 44-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to a total of 6 rape charges and has also denied charges of false imprisonment, threatening to kill by shooting, threatening to disfigure with a knife, aggravated burglary and possessing a shotgun with intent to endanger life.
All the offences are alleged to have occurred at the woman’s Clare home on September 9th, 2007 in what Gardaí described as a seven hour ordeal, which ended following lengthy negotiations .
Following two weeks of evidence, at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, the jury of seven women and five men heard closing speeches from both the prosecution and defense yesterday and are due to be addressed by Mr. Justice Paul Carney, before retiring to consider a verdict later today.
