Deaf Woman Attacked By Friend's Partner

A man has been convicted of raping his partner's deaf friend on New Year's Eve.

The 33-year-old man, who is also deaf, pleaded not guilty to assaulting the 43 year-old woman.

Judge Frank O'Donnell remanded the man in custody until sentencing. His identity has been withheld to protect that of his victims.

Communicating through a sign language interpreter, the 43 year-old victim, whilst on the stand, told the court how her attacker had reached under her duvet, touching her arm.

The man then hit her head off the wall and squeezed her arms. She said: "I felt very weak and I was screaming and crying. I tried to kick him but he was very controlling. He took my top, shorts and knickers off."

"He was very strong. He did not care himself. I was trying to push him away. I was in shock and pain,"

She then told the court her attacker raped her and left her room.

Her friend came into the room the next morning and she told her what had happened.

"I told her that her partner had raped me. She was shocked and I was very angry," she said.

She reported the assault to the gardaí two days later. Photographs were taken of her arms and she later had a medical examination.

(DW/JM)