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No requirement in Irish law for judge to give “good character” direction
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Court of Appeal dismisses appeal against conviction for rape, where the only ground of appeal remaining was whether the trial judge’s refusal to give a “good character” direction to the jury made the conviction unsafe, on the grounds that: (a) there is no mandatory requirement for such a direction to be given in Irish law; and (b) there was no basis for such a direction to be given in the particular case, where no great emphasis was placed by the defence on the good character of the accused, either as an aid to the jury in assessing his credibility, or as to whether he was the sort of person with a propensity to commit an offence of the nature charged.
Appeal against conviction for rape - consensual sexual activity - appellant's failure to use a condom despite complainant's consent being based on this - whether conviction unsatisfactory by reason of the trial judge’s refusal to give a “good character” direction to the jury.
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