‘Nightmare began as she woke' – Rape trial of Dublin firefighter begins in Boston
Opening of trial hears Mr Crosbie allegedly raped woman at Boston hotel during visit to the city with members of the Dublin Fire Brigade for St Patrick's Day 2024
The Boston rape trial of a Dublin firefighter heard that the alleged victim's 'nightmare began as she woke up'.
The trial of Terence E. Crosbie (38) began yesterday at Suffolk Superior Court, Boston.
It was alleged in court that firefighter Mr Crosbie raped a woman at a Boston hotel during a visit to the city with members of the Dublin Fire Brigade, for the St. Patrick's Day weekend celebrations in 2024.
Witnesses from Ireland are expected to be called to give evidence at the trial.
Mr Crosbie, who denies the charge, has been held at Nashua Street jail in Boston since his arrest last year.
The 38-year-old was detained at Boston Logan International Airport as he attempted to fly back to Ireland.
He was charged on March 18 with the alleged rape of a woman at Omni Parker House on March 14, and pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors allege he raped the 'female stranger' as she slept.
The court heard the woman (28) said she went to the Black Rose Irish Pub with her co-workers when she met an Irish man, named in court as Liam O'Brien, and his colleagues.
Video allegedly shows the woman leaving the restaurant with Mr O'Brien at around 11.30pm, and returning to the hotel room he was sharing with Mr Crosbie.
Mr O'Brien and the woman had a 'consensual encounter' before falling asleep in separate beds.
She said she then awoke to Crosbie on top of her, raping her.
A Boston Police Department photo of Terence Crosbie
News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday June 10
In her opening statement yesterday, Suffolk Assistant District Attorney Daniela Mendes said the woman Crosbie allegedly raped had endured a 'nightmare', the Boston Globe reports.
'Our nightmares belong in our sleep, and the nightmare is supposed to end when you wake up,' Mendes told the court.
In this case, she said, the 'nightmare began as she woke up.'
The court heard how prosecutors will argue that Mr Crosbie left the hotel at 11:55pm, according to hotel security video, and swiped his key card back into the room at 1:55am.
Ms Mendes told the court the woman woke up at some point of the night as Crosbie was allegedly raping her.
The court heard how the woman left the room at 2:15am, 20 minutes after Crosbie entered the room and she messaged a friend to say she had been assaulted and went to a hospital, where she spoke with police.
Dublin firefighter Terence Crosbie.
Mr Crosbie's lawyer, Patrick Garrity, said the court system doesn't convict people on 'suspicions… maybes… what if's.'
Mr Garrity said the woman had been drinking for 'more than six hours' before she went to The Black Rose and her statements have 'shifted over time.'
Mr Garrity also told the opening of the trial that samples of Crosbie's DNA that he provided were not found on the woman's body.
The defence lawyer added that Mr Crosbie attempted to leave Boston on an earlier flight because he had been interviewed by police, provided his contact information and been told he was a 'free man'.
He moved his travel time to return to his family, the court heard.
At a previous hearing, lawyers representing the Dublin Fire Brigade firefighter said he will 'do everything' to clear his name.
In a statement issued last year, his employer said: "Dublin Fire Brigade chief fire officer has been made aware that the Boston Police Department have begun a criminal investigation into an alleged serious case involving a member of Dublin Fire Brigade.
"The firefighter has immediately been placed on leave. We cannot comment on the specific circumstances but we would reiterate the high standards that we expect from all who represent our organisation at any event.
"As a result, we are conducting an internal investigation and establishing the facts in collaboration with the appropriate authorities and the organisers of the delegation. As this is a criminal investigation, we will not be making any further comment at this time."
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