Rape charges have being dropped against three men accused of taking part in a gang rape.
The three still face charges of the oral rape, attempted rape and sexual assault of the woman (34). They were aged 15, 16 and 18 when the alleged offences took place.
At the conclusion of the prosecution’s case, Mr Justice Paul Carney told the jury that he was withdrawing the counts of rape because they could not stand up legally on the evidence of the complainant.
The alleged victim previously gave evidence that she was orally raped by one man before another man lay on top of her and attempted to have sex with her. She said he did not penetrate her.
The three Cork men have pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to four charges each of rape, oral rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault of a woman in Cork on September 13th, 2009.
