The defence lawyer of a man accused of rape told the jury to consider the teenage claimants lacy underwear in her finishing speech.
A 27-year-old man was found not guilty of raping a 17-year-old girl in County Cork, Ireland, by a jury of eight men and four women, who reached their unanimous verdict after an hour-and-a-half deliberation.
The jury heard how after a night out, the girl told the man you raped me, while he replied no, we just had sex.
In her closing speech, Ms Elizabeth OConnell told the jury that the girls lace front thong could indicate the sex was consensual.
She said: Does the evidence out-rule the possibility that she was attracted to the defendant and was open to meeting someone and being with someone?
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You have to look at the way she was dressed. She was wearing a thong with a lace front, according to the Irish Examiner.
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Tom Creed SC for the prosecution told the jury that the girl was quite clear she did not consent and said she had never had sexual intercourse before.
Sexual Violence Centre Cork said: Legal counsel use these tactics to defend their clients, they know what will hold sway in the courtroom and in the court of public opinion, they know that clothing does not incite rape, they play on the myths.
Another one commented: This is disgusting. Every barrister needs input into rape. Wearing nice underwear has zero to do with anything. Obviously. Rape myths like these cannot be allowed. Im so annoyed. So angry.
One said: Rapists cause rape. Not thongs lacy or otherwise.
When the defendant was told to describe the incident, he said the two went up to a muddy area to have sex. He said he could not get fully erect and was unsure if his penis went into her vagina.
He testified: Then she [the complainant] was getting funny, it was like she snapped out of a buzz. She said stop and I stopped. We were going to have sex, she said stop and I stopped.
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