A Galway man pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court yesterday to raping a 16 year old in the city during August 1993.
Paul Cullinane (31), of Barry Avenue, Mervue, had original admitted the charge last July. However, in October he was allowed to change his plea to not guilty.
Cullinane had told the court that he had no more than 15 minutes' consultation with his senior counsel, who he said had threatened to withdraw from the case unless he pleaded guilty.
Cullinane, who was jailed for six years in 1982 for aggravated sexual assault, told the court in relation to the rape charge: "This has been hanging over my head for three years and I'm begging the court for a trial to prove my innocence."
But as Cullinane was to be arraigned for trial yesterday, his legal team asked Mr Justice Carney for additional time to consult their client.
After the guilty plea Mr Justice Carney remanded Cullinane in continuing custody and adjourned sentencing to March 6th next.
