The trial of a Clare man accused of raping his pregnant ex-girlfriend continues in Dublin today.
The 44 year old man, who’s originally from England, has pleaded not (NOT) guilty to 12 charges in all, including various rape charges, false imprisonment, and threatening to kill the woman as well as possession of a shotgun with intent to endanger life.
He pleaded guilty in December 2008 to assaulting the woman but denies hitting her with the gun at her Clare home on September 9, 2007.
Gardai say the Clare accused subjected his pregnant ex-girlfriend to a seven-hour ordeal in which he allegedly raped her in various ways and threatened to shoot her
The man has already admitted to assaulting her and knocking out several of her teeth, but denied that he hit her with the gun. He is also alleged to have raped her several times.
Prosecuting counsel Pauline Walley told the jury the woman was out celebrating on the night in question and was seen by the accused who later went to his cousin’s home and stole his car and shotgun and ammunition before going to the woman’s house – Gardaí were alerted by the accused’s cousin.
Following a number of hours and negotiations with Gardaí the accused surrendered the gun in exchange for a pack of cigarettes, admitting he had hit the woman and but insisting that sex between the pair was fully consensual.
The accused and the complainant were in a relationship between 2004 and 2007 and woman was pregnant with their second child at the time of the alleged assaults.