Court of Appeal upholds the conviction of an individual for rape and sexual assault, affirming the original decision of the Central Criminal Court. The appellant's conviction followed allegations of raping a 17-year-old complainant during a house party. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, which challenged the trial judge's decisions on re-examination of a witness, the jury's understanding of reasonable doubt, and the right of the jury to disagree. The Court found no miscarriage of justice and determined that the trial judge acted within her discretion, with the jury's lengthy deliberations reflecting their conscientious approach.
Court of Appeal, rape, sexual assault, conviction, Central Criminal Court, jury deliberation, re-examination of witness, reasonable doubt, right to disagree, majority verdict, Offences Against the Person Act, 1861, Criminal Law (Rape) Act, 1981, Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act, 1990, Sex Offenders Act, 2001, Criminal Justice Act, 1984, Criminal Procedure Act, 1993.