Man accused of raping Offaly boy

A jury was sworn yesterday for the trial of a man accused of raping a boy in Co Offaly last year

A jury was sworn yesterday for the trial of a man accused of raping a boy in Co Offaly last year. A 57-year-old man pleaded not guilty to raping and sexually assaulting a now 12-year-old boy on August 23rd, 1997, and raping him again on September 6th last year.

A jury of eight men and four women were selected at the Central Criminal Court to begin the trial today before Mr Justice Carney.