A charge of statutory rape has been withdrawn against another man at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following a week when six men, including 'Mr C', had similar charges against them dropped.
The 28-year-old Dublin man had not yet entered a plea to a charge of unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17 years old between December 1st, 2003 and January 27th, 2004.
Ms Melanie Greally BL entered a nolle prosequion behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions when the case appeared before Judge Desmond Hogan. There was no mention in court as to whether the State intend to bring fresh charges against this man.
'Mr C' and the other five men were arrested on Wednesday, as soon as they left the Circuit Criminal Court and were recharged with sexual assault at Dublin District Court.
Judge Bryan McMahon allowed the DPP to enter nolle prosequiin each of the six case, following its consideration of the Supreme Court ruling that Section 1.1 of the 1935 Criminal Law Amendment Act was unconstitutional.
'Mr C' faced four charges of unlawful carnal knowledge with the same girl in 2001. He pleaded not guilty and brought his case to the Supreme Court when he learned that a defence of "honest mistake of age" was not allowed.
Judge McMahon said that the application by the DPP to enter nolle prosequion the indictments against 'Mr C' and the other men was "a considered response to the Supreme Court ruling".