In Short

A round-up of today's other court stories in brief

A round-up of today's other court stories in brief

Man acquitted of raping teenage girl

A Lithuanian man (22) has been cleared by a Central Criminal Court jury of raping a teenage Cork girl last year. The jury took just 56 minutes to return its verdict on day four of the trial. The man had denied raping the then 17-year-old girl in May 2005 and claimed in evidence that they had consensual sexual intercourse one day after they first met on a street.

Mr Justice Kevin O'Higgins discharged him from the court. He said the verdict should not reflect on the complainant.

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State case against woman not ready

The book of evidence in the State's case against a woman charged with four counts of attempted murder following a fire at her home last year, will not now be ready until next month.

Agnes O'Shaughnessy (27), a married mother of three, Shannon, Co Clare, appeared at Shannon District Court, sitting in Ennis, yesterday. Insp Tom Kennedy told Judge Aenaes McCarthy the book was expected to be served on November 16th.

Ms O'Shaughnessy is charged with the attempted murder of George O'Shaughnessy, twins Evan Hickey and Lee Hickey and Sophie O'Shaughnessy in September 2005. She faces six charges in all.

At a previous court appearance in relation to an arson charge, Judge Joseph Mangan amended bail conditions to allow her access to her children, supervised by her husband and members of her family. She has also undergone psychiatric assessment.

Court orders €31,000 to be held

An air passenger had €31,000 in his checked-in luggage which he claimed to have got from a business associate in Dubai, a court heard yesterday. A judge ordered the continued detention of the money which was seized from Ahmed Saciid Sheek, Monkstown Road, Dublin, at Dublin airport in January 2005. He had just got off a flight from Amsterdam.

Customs officers found his itinerary showed he had come from Sao Paulo, Brazil to Amsterdam. They suspected it was the proceeds of drug trafficking.

There was no appearance by or representation for Mr Sheek in court.

Man for trial over Galway rape

A Polish man formerly of Galway city has been sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court charged with rape. The man (26), who may not be named for legal reasons, is charged with raping a woman at an apartment in Galway in July.