Man acquitted of sexual assault of female student

A man has been acquitted of the sexual assault of a student at a house following a birthday party.

A Jury of nine men and three women deliberated for four hours and fifteen minutes before reaching its majority verdict last Friday at Sligo Circuit Court following a four day trial.

The accused had denied one count of sexually assaulting the then 19-year-old student at a house in the town after she had gone there to celebrate a birthday of a friend on March 2nd 2016.

The accused was represented by Mr Des Dockery SC with Mr Leo Mulrooney BL, instructed by Mr Mark Mullaney, solicitor and the prosecution by Ms Dara Foynes BL with Ms Elisa McHugh, State Solicitor.

In her evidence, the alleged victim told how she had gone to the party and later most left to go into town.

She stay on and went to sleep on a couch in a downstairs sitting room.

She claimed the accused came over to her and tried to sleep with her on the couch.

He then proceeded to sexually assault her. She left next morning and subsequently noticed bruising on her chest which she took pictures of. She told a friend and later made a complaint to Gardaí.

The accused did not give evidence but had denied the accusations during interviews with Gardaí.

It was the second jury sworn in to hear the case. The first jury was discharged on Monday by Judge Frances Comerford following an application from the defence in relation to the opening address by the prosecution.