Jury selection begins in rape trial of Irish firefighter Terence Crosbie

Sunday World

12 hours ago

He is accused of raping a woman as she slept at a hotel in Boston last year
Jury selection has begun in the rape trial of Irish firefighter Terence Crosbie.
It's alleged he raped a woman at a Boston hotel during St. Patrick's Day weekend celebrations in the city last year.
Witnesses from Ireland are expected to be called to give evidence at the trial at Suffolk Superior Court when it gets underway.
Opening statements in the trial of the married father are expected to begin within the next week.
He's been held at Nashua Street jail in Boston since his arrested last year.
The 38-year-old from Dublin was detained at Boston Logan International Airport as he attempted to fly back to Ireland a day early after speaking to cops.
A Boston Police Department photo of Terence Crosbie
News in 90 Seconds - 6th June 2025
He was charged on March 18 with the alleged rape of a woman at Omni Parker House, on March 14th and pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors allege he raped the 'female stranger' as she slept during a visit to Boston with members of the Dublin Fire Brigade.
The woman (28) said she went to the Black Rose Irish Pub with her co-workers when she met an Irish man and his colleagues.
Video allegedly shows the woman leaving the restaurant with the man at around 11.30pm, and returning to the hotel room he was sharing with Crosbie at the hotel.
The man and the woman had a 'consensual encounter' before falling asleep in separate beds.
She said she awoke to Crosbie on top of her, raping her.
Court records state that she demanded he stop, but in response Crosbie allegedly said that he 'knew she wanted it', and called his friend 'pathetic' for falling asleep. The woman left the hotel and messaged a friend to say she had been assaulted.
She went to hospital where she spoke to cops and underwent a sexual assault examination.
In August, prosecutors requested a DNA swab from Crosbie for comparative testing after a rape kit from the woman found male DNA.
Terence Crosbie at a previous court hearing
'A known DNA sample from the defendant will produce evidence relevant to the question of his guilt,' Assistant District Attorney Erin Murphy said.
According to court documents, Crosbie objected to providing a sample on 'grounds of unreasonable searches and seizures.'
In an interview with police, Crosbie denied the rape.
He told police he climbed into bed not knowing she was even there, but he heard her gather her clothes and leave the room.
His lawyer. Daniel C. Reilly said that his client was 'not concerned about what the DNA is going to return or say,' adding that 'he is adamant that he had no physical contact with her.'
At a previous hearing, lawyers representing the Dublin Fire Brigade firefighter said he will 'do everything' to clear his name.
'I can tell you right now, he is going to fight and clear his name and do everything that he can to address these charges and maintain his innocence,' Boston attorney Brad Bailey told Boston 25 News Reporter Bob Ward.
'This is a man, Bob, who has never been in trouble before. Has no prior record, has never been in jail. Here he is, in a jail cell with no ability to make bail, really in a situation that is arguably punitive for somebody who has the presumption of innocence,' Bailey said.
Dublin firefighter Terence Crosbie
Crosbie was placed on leave by Dublin Fire Brigade.
In a statement, 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."
If you've been effected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact the Rape Crisis Centre on 1800 77 8888.