Online fundraiser for Dublin firefighter accused of rape in US taken down
The 38-year-old's court hearing last month which ended in a mistrial heard that the Dublin native was in the American city with work colleagues as part of the St Patrick's Day celebrations on March 14, last year.
His trial, in which he pleaded not guilty, began in the Suffolk County Courthouse in Boston, Massachusetts on June 9, before presiding judge Sarah Weyland Ellis.
Mr Crosbie's next trial is due to take place on October 14. After declaring the mistrial, Judge Ellis increased his bail from $10,000 to $50,000, declaring him a flight risk.
It is alleged that on March 14 last year Crosbie raped the now 29-year-old woman at the Omni Parker House, a hotel in downtown Boston. Crosbie had flown to Boston from Ireland on the same day of the alleged incident with colleagues and that he was scheduled to leave the following Tuesday, March 18.
Mr Crosbie was sharing a hotel room with a fellow firefighter, whom the alleged victim said she had consensual sex with after meeting earlier in the Black Rose pub. They subsequently fell asleep in separate beds. Terence Crosbie.
The victim alleged that she woke in the early hours of the following day to another man sexually assaulting her, and identifying him to police as the defendant.
The fundraiser, Family, Friends & Colleagues for Terence Crosbie on gofundme.com claimed on Friday that "without immediate support," he may lose the "very legal team that knows his case best and has worked tirelessly to defend him.
"That would not only delay his case further, prolonging his unjust confinement, but would risk the fairness of the proceedings altogether."
The organisers outlined that: "Since March 2024, Terence (Terry) Crosbie has been incarcerated in Suffolk County Jail, thousands of miles from home and separated from his beloved wife and two young daughters. He is facing serious legal proceedings in the United States, a foreign country where the legal system is unfamiliar and the costs are staggering."
They added that from the very beginning, Mr Crosbie has fully cooperated with law enforcement and "steadfastly maintained his innocence."
In a statement on the fundraising site, organisers continued: "In order to defend himself and clear his name, he and his family sought out highly respected legal counsel—attorneys who believe in him and have built a strong defence.
"Terry's legal team fought hard for him in his first trial. But despite their efforts, the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict. That means a second trial is now required—and the fight continues.
"The emotional and financial toll of defending oneself abroad is more than any one family can bear alone. Terry's loved ones have poured everything they have into supporting him, but the continuing legal costs—attorney's fees, expert witnesses, trial preparation—are simply too great."
The fundraiser reveals that the firefighter's family "misses him so deeply".
"Terry is a devoted husband, a loving father, and a kind and loyal friend. His wife and daughters are counting down the days until they can hold him again. Your generosity, your prayers, and your willingness to share this page with others—they all mean more than words can say." Terence Crosbie, 38
However, the GoFundMe fundraiser is no longer online and no reason has been provided for it being removed either by the campaign organisers or by the company which runs the website. More than €10,000 had been raised by donations prior to the online campaign being removed.
In the court hearing defence counsel contended that Mr Crosbie did not rape the woman and that his DNA was not found on her.
The Dublin man's defence team repeatedly asked the woman about her account of events focusing on aspects of her story they claim changed at last month's trial.
Crosbie has been detained at Nashua Street jail in Boston since his arrest last year.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Extra.ie
13 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Hunter gored to death by buffalo he was stalking in South Africa
An American big game hunter was gored to death by a buffalo he was stalking after it ambushed him on safari in South Africa. Millionaire businessman Asher Watkins, who was 52, was on a hunting trip with professional guides and an animal tracker on the trail of a prized 1.3-ton buffalo bull last Sunday. But unexpectedly, and at top speed, the enormous animal emerged from the bushes and charged him at 35mph, slamming into him and killing him almost instantly. African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), Okavango Delta, Botswana. (Photo by: Sergio Pitamitz/VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) It is not known if the team from the Safari company, shot the buffalo dead, or if it escaped back to its nearby herd. Its believed it costs in the region of €7,500 to take part in a hunt of this kind, and it's thought the man who died, described himself as a keen conservationist, who believed that hunting is a vital part of preserving wildlife, and he had photos on his social media with a dead mountain lion, deer, and hundreds of dead birds. SABI SANDS, SOUTH AFRICA – OCTOBER 9: A herd of Cape Buffalo pass tourists on an evening game drive in South Africa (Photo by) It's reported he had also boasted of killing thousands of doves in just three days while on a trip with a group of friends in Argentina. The Cape Buffalo is considered probably the most powerful and dangerous animal in Africa, and will charge at full speed if threatened. The animals have been nicknamed the 'African Black Death' by hunters who have been attacked by them and survived, and the name is often used by Safari companies to attract hunters who want to join in journeys to hunt these magnificent animals.
Irish Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Police probe church incident where Burke family confronted education official
Police in Northern Ireland are carrying out inquiries into an incident where members of the Burke family accosted a DUP councillor outside a Presbyterian church. Mervyn Storey, a former MLA for North Antrim – who is now a councillor, was approached by members of the protesting evangelical Christian family outside the Hebron Free Presbyterian Church in Ballymoney. In a video posted to one of the Burkes' social media accounts on Monday evening, Mr Storey – who is the chairman of the Education Authority in Northern Ireland – goes into the church while being asked questions by Martina Burke and her son Josiah. Ms Burke said they were in a "state church implementing government ideology" and refer to Education Authority guidelines on how to support transgender students. 15/14/2024 Enoch Burkes brother Simeon, sister Ammi and mother Martina Burke and other family members arriving at the The Criminal Courts of Justice today. Pic- Collins Courts They are seen standing in the atrium of the church in the 17-minute video filmed by a third Burke family member before being ejected from the building. A PSNI spokeswoman said: "Police are aware of a video being circulated online and inquiries are being conducted in relation to the matter." The Burke family, from Co Mayo, have been known to confront multiple politicians in public places while videoing them. In March, three members of the family were forcibly removed from a gala dinner in Washington DC attended by Taoiseach Micheal Martin as part of St Patrick's Day celebrations. While canvassing ahead of November's general election, Fine Gael leader and then-Taoiseach Simon Harris was accosted by the Burkes in Castlebar, Co Mayo. They have also been involved in legal disputes in Ireland arising out of the suspension and subsequent dismissal of Enoch Burke from his job as a teacher. He is in the process of appealing against his dismissal. The long-running dispute stems from incidents related to a request from the then-principal of the school he worked at to address a student by a new name and the pronoun "they". Mr Storey has been contacted for comment. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
The Irish Sun
20 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Big game hunter, 52, gored to death by buffalo he was trying to kill for a trophy after 200 stone beast ambushed him
Often dubbed the 'Black Death', the beast is known for killing hunters more than lions and rhinos HUNT SHOCK Big game hunter, 52, gored to death by buffalo he was trying to kill for a trophy after 200 stone beast ambushed him AN American big game hunter was gored to death by a buffalo he was stalking for a trophy kill, after the animal ambushed him in South Africa. Millionaire ranch trader Asher Watkins, 52, was on safari last Sunday with a professional hunter and a tracker, pursuing a 1.3-ton bull in thick bushland. 6 American hunter Asher Watkins was gored to death by a buffalo in South Africa 6 The animal ambushed him in thick bushland and left him with no chance 6 Often dubbed the 'Black Death', cape buffalo are known for killing hunters more than lions and rhinos Credit: Pixabay Without warning, the buffalo - considered Africa's most dangerous animal - burst from cover at 35mph and fatally struck Watkins, killing him almost instantly. It's unclear whether the buffalo was killed or escaped back to its herd. The hunt, organised by Coenraad Vermaak Safaris, was reportedly worth around £7,500. Cape buffalo, often dubbed the "Black Death", are responsible for about 200 deaths annually and kill more game hunters than lions, elephants, rhinos or crocodiles. Watkins, a keen conservationist, believed hunting was a vital part of preserving wildlife. His social media features trophies including a mountain lion, numerous deer, wildfowl and even boasts of killing thousands of doves over three days with pals in Argentina. But during Sunday's hunt in the 50,000-acre Bambisana concession, a buffalo got wind of the trackers and turned on them. Though not believed to be wounded at the time, the bull became agitated and launched a surprise attack. Watkins – raised on Texas farms and taught to shoot from a young age – was caught off guard and gored in a fatal charge. Hunter Hans Vermaak, speaking for CV Safaris, said: "It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts we confirm the tragic death of our client and friend Asher Watkins from the USA. Legendary lion Blondie studied by Oxford boffins is lured from reserve and shot dead by sick trophy hunter in £35k kill "On Sunday, while on a hunting safari with us in South Africa's Limpopo Province, Asher was fatally injured in a sudden and unprovoked attack by an unwounded buffalo. "He was tracking it together with one of our professional hunters and one of our trackers. This is a devastating incident and our hearts go out to his loved ones. "We are doing everything we can to support the family members who are here with us and those back in the United States as they navigate this tragic loss." Watkins' ex-wife Courtney and teenage daughter Savannah - with whom he shared custody after splitting in 2013 - were notified of his untimely death. One of the dad's close friends said: "He spent every spare moment he could with Savannah and shared his life with her. "Nobody could love a daughter more than he did. She will be broken to lose Asher, who was her best friend as well as her dad." His mother Gwen, brother Amon, and stepfather Tony were staying at the luxury lodge nearby when the tragic news was delivered. Watkins ran the successful Watkins Ranch Group in Texas, selling luxury ranches priced between £1million and £30million. He was affiliated with global firm Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty and was a member of the Dallas Safari Club. Friends say he also owned a world-class hunting rifle collection. 6 The 52-year-old was on a safari alongside a professional hunter and tracker Credit: Facebook 6 Watkins posing with a dead mountain lion Credit: Facebook Close pal Shannon Wherry wrote online: "On an African safari with his beloved mother, brother and stepdad, Asher came face to face with one of Africa's legendary buffalo. "In a moment of fearlessness, as he lived his life, he met the challenge head-on, leaving this world a man of courage, faith, and adventure. "He loved his precious daughter Savannah more than life itself and leaves her behind, and his ex-wife, who are now facing an unimaginable loss. "Please continue to lift them in prayer for peace and strength in the days ahead." CV Safaris posted on Instagram that they met Watkins and his family at Johannesburg Airport and flew them to the remote Bambisana concession in a private aircraft. On his first day, Watkins successfully shot a waterbuck. But on day two, the team encountered a buffalo bull. The animal became hostile and turned hunter, leading to the fatal incident. The CV Safaris website offers a stark warning about Cape buffalo: "No species on the planet has a more fearsome reputation than a Cape Buffalo. Responsible for several deaths and many injuries to hunters each year. "The buffalo is regarded as the most dangerous animal to pursue in Africa. Buffalo hunting is thrilling and exhilarating and at the top of every hunter's wish list. "Crafty and belligerent, he seeks refuge in thickets when wounded or when danger approaches. Buffalo are known to charge unprovoked so prepare for the worst. "Buffalo have earned their reputation and can absorb astounding amounts of lead even when shots are well placed. A charging buffalo comes at an alarming speed. Cool nerves and a steady hand are crucial." Cape buffalo can weigh up to 1.5 tons, reach 11 feet in length, and stand 5ft 6in tall. Their horns connect via a thick bone 'boss' across the forehead, with tips spanning up to four feet. They are notoriously aggressive and unpredictable – with only lions and humans as natural predators. South African police are believed to have opened an inquest into Watkins' death.
