Woman sues retired garda over alleged rape

A Co Mayo woman has sued a retired Detective Sergeant over allegedly raping her while he was investigating claims that she was sexually abused by another man.

Joanne Quinn (41), with an address in Castlebar, Co Mayo, claims she was stalked and sexually harassed by Edward Justin Clarke between 2002 and 2005, a High Court jury heard.

Mr Clarke admitted he had a sexual relationship with Ms Quinn, but pleaded that was consensual, the jury was told.

Opening the case, Martin Giblin SC, for Ms Quinn, said she had been subjected to very serious sexual abuse from the age of four until just before she reached puberty. It wasn’t until the late 1990s she was able to work up the strength to make a complaint against her abuser, he said.

Mr Clarke was a member of the Garda Siochána involved in investigating her complaint and he had taken detailed statements from her over a number of years, Mr Giblin said.

Mr Clarke had abused Ms Quinn while he was in a position of authority as a member of An Garda Siochána, counsel said. There are certain relationships which are not acceptable in Ireland and this is one of them, counsel added.

Asked was she was aware that Mr Clarke tried to commit suicide and had gone into a coma when he first heard about her allegations, Ms Quinn said she had heard rumours to that effect.

The case continues today.