Letterkenny University Hospital has implemented its Full Capacity Protocol due to overcrowding this week.
The measure comes as 138 people sought care at the Emergency Department in the past day.
This is a significantly higher than average number, which has led to delays and a high number of patients on trolleys.
Forty-seven people were recorded awaiting admission on trolleys this Tuesday morning.
Staff are currently making efforts to identify patients who are appropriate for discharge in order to deal with the overcrowding.
A Saolta spokesperson said: “Hospital management apologises for the inconvenience and distress that these delays cause patients and their families. The hospital prioritises those in most need of care and this may lead to delays for less urgent patients.
“We would like to remind the public that we encourage them to attend the Emergency Department only in the case of real emergencies and they should contact their GP or GP Out-of-Hours service in the first instance.
“We are committed to treating everyone who presents at our ED but we do so strictly in order of medical priority and apologise for the long wait times currently.
“We would like to thank our staff who are working extremely hard at this time.”
Twenty-one-year-old Donegal student Aisling O’Connor will be giving the gift of life to save others following her tragic death, her father has said.
Aisling, a third year student of the University of Limerick, passed away as a result of injuries from a kayaking accident on Saturday. The popular science student suffered critical injuries during a club trip in Co. Kerry. She passed away on Monday.
Aisling’s father David O’Connor has said he and the family’s lives have been shattered by their sudden loss, but they are gaining comfort from the knowledge that Aisling’s organs will be donated to save the lives of others.
“Incredibly, within 10 minutes of her being pronounced dead yesterday, the liver transplant team identified Aisling as a perfect match for a patient of theirs,” David told Cork radio station 98fm.
“Even in death, Aisling continues to care for, enrich and help others in need. My hope is that all of her organs are viable and will give the gift of life to those who need it. Aisling would not have had it any other way.”
Aisling, who grew up in Cork and later moved to Ballyshannon, is the second eldest of five children. She is survived by her mother Sorcha Begley, Ballyshannon and father David O’Connor, Cork, her older brother Ciaran and younger siblings Matthew, Clodagh and Maeve.
In a heartfelt letter, David said: “There would not be enough time or words for me to convey to you the essence and character of this simply wonderful and special person.
“She enriched the lives of everyone she encountered… loving, bubbly, bright, vivacious, caring…I could go on and on…..always taking care and looking out for others. She was a role model in every sense of the word and set the example for many especially for her brothers Ciaran and Matthew and her sisters Clodagh and Maeve.”
David said he aims to highlight the importance of organ donation, “even in the face of tragic loss and heartbreaking senseless death of someone so young.”
He appealed to others to be aware of the gift of life that can occur with organ donation and asked listeners to keep Aisling in their thoughts: “Please think of Aisling and wish her well on her onward journey where I know she is lighting up the lives of everyone she encounters.”
A Donegal Senator has stated that the hundreds and hundreds of Donegal families who have benefitted from the ParentStop service over the last 13 years, cannot afford to lose it.
Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn was appealing to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone directly during a special debate on the matter in the Seanad today.
ParentStop supported over 400 Donegal families last year and has announced that it will have to close its doors at the end of this year, due to an ongoing lack of secure funding resources for the service.
Senator Mac Lochlainn said: “This is a vital service for so many families across the county. Established in 2005 from within the community of Donegal and funded from 2007 to date, the team at ParentStop have been a safe space for parents struggling with their responsibilities for a variety of reasons. They are a free and voluntary service operated on a not for profit basis.
“It is a self-referral service for families but a range of professionals and officials have referred struggling families to the service including teachers, counsellors, health care and social care professionals as well as family court judges.
For years now, they have struggled to find the necessary funding from government agencies to sustain what has been a growing service and they have been forced into this announcement that they will have to close their doors”.
“Today I appealed to Minister Zappone to meet with the board of ParentStop and to work with the HSE and other government departments and agencies to find a sustainable funding solution that will keep the doors open. I am pleased that the Minister has confirmed that she will meet the board of ParentStop later this month and that Tusla and the HSE are working on a joint funding proposal.
“It is critical now that these efforts succeed and that the hundreds of Donegal families who rely on ParentStop are not abandoned by the state”.
BONAGEE United and Cockhill Celtic have both been handed home ties in the third round of the New Balance FAI Intermediate Cup.
Both teams will face opposition from Cork in the third round, which are down for decision on the weekend of November 24.
Bonagee will be at home to Lakewood Athletic at Dry Arch Park while Cockhill, the seven-in-a-row Ulster Senior League winners, will host Midleton at the Charlie O’Donnell Sports Grounds.
The winners of the third round ties will gain automatic entry to the Extra.ie FAI Cup qualifying round in the 2020 season.
New Balance FAI Intermediate Cup – Third Round Draw
Leeds v Verona
St. Kevins Boys v Everton
Castleknock Celtic v Bangor GGFC
Ringmahon Rangers v Bandon/Park United
Cockhill Celtic v Midleton
Cobh Wanderers v Maynooth University Town
St. John Bosco v Kilnamanagh
Home Farm v UCC
Killester Donnycarney v Castleview
College Corinthians v Skerries Town
Larkview v Crumlin Utd
Bonagee United v Lakewood Athletic
Malahide United v Tolka Rovers
Collinstown v Wayside Celtic
Ballymun United v Cherry Orchard/St. Mochta’s
Liffey Wanderers v Sacred Heart Firhouse Clover
Third Round fixtures to be played before November 24, 2019
The Dental staff in St Conal’s Hospital recently held a coffee morning in memory of their good friend Lorna Larkin who sadly passed away in August.
The amount raised was over €2,100 and proceeds were presented to the Oncology department by Lorna’s daughter Gabrielle along with members of the dental dept and family.
Gabrielle Larkin presents Oncology staff nurse Ronan McCauley and Lorraine Mcloone with monies raised from the recent coffee morning in memory of the late Lorna Larkin.
Donegal County Council has announced that its gritters are to be out on a selected number of routes tonight and tomorrow morning.
Main roads in the Inishowen and Milford area will be gritted from 9pm tonight (Tuesday) and from 6am on Wednesday morning.
Temperatures are set to drop below freezing in parts of the county, as Met Eireann warns of the possibility of a ‘slight ground frost’ overnight. Conditions will be misty, with a light wind, before cloudy conditions will move in to Donegal towards morning bringing outbreaks of rain.
Top temperatures will be 2C and 0C in the north west tonight.
Donegal County Council gritters will be out on the following routes from 9PM on Tue. 05/11:
04: Inishowen South
05: Inishowen East
06: Inishowen West
07: Milford South
08: Milford North
BT: Buncrana Town Council Priority 1
On Wednesday morning, the following routes will be gritted from 6am:
AMBER Barrett and Tyler Toland have named in the Republic of Ireland women’s national team for next week’s UEFA Women’s EURO 2021 qualifier away to Greece.
Manger Vera Pauw announced a 24-player squad today for the game, which will be Ireland’s third in the campaign, will take place in Panionios, Athens on Tuesday, November 12.
The two Donegal women were unused substitutes in the 3-2 home win over Ukraine.
Both players made big moves this year with Barrett now playing with FC Koln in Germany and Toland having joined Manchester City.
Ireland sit second in Group I following wins over Montenegro and Ukraine with five goals scored and two conceded.
This next game, against Greece, will be the final fixture of 2019 before action resumes in March 2020 with a double header (home to Greece, away to Montenegro).
Wexford Youths forward Rianna Jarrett is also part of the squad following last Sunday’s triumph in the Só Hotels FAI Women’s Cup Final at Aviva Stadium, while seven other home-based players have been called up.
The squad will meet up on Wednesday, November 6th to begin preparations for the game before flying to Greece on Sunday ahead of Tuesday’s qualifier.
Gweedore United won the Donegal Youth League Shield section after a last gasp winner saw them defeat Eany Celtic 2-1 on Monday night at Carrickboyle.
As the curtain came down on the Donegal Youth League season, it was Gweedore United’s night.
Both sides, along with Lagan Harps, had finished tied so a playoff series was needed and Gweedore clinched the title having also defeated Lagan Harps 2-0 earlier in the playoffs.
A cracking free kick from Rhys Boyle had Eany ahead before Gweedore levelled through a Steven Doyle McFadden penalty.
The game looked set for a draw until Liam McFadden popped up to fire home the winner and lift the title for the Paul McGee managed side.
ANTHONY GORMAN was thrilled to see his Letterkenny Rovers young guns win the John Gorey Cup last night.
Rovers overcame Lagan Harps 5-1 at The Curragh to claim the prize in memory of the former Rovers clubman and Donegal soccer administrator
James Kernan scored twice with Kyron Coyle, Conor Friel and Nathan Plumb on the mark.
“We’re absolutely delighted,” Gorman told Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub.
“The third goal was vital, two minutes into the second half. We played some very good football after that and it settled us down. Credit to Lagan, they kept on going.
“We are very lucky where we have an excellent group of 2003s, who are our under-16s. The majority of them have been pivotal in our Youth League success.”
Kelly’s Toyota has announced its upcoming Hybrid Advantage event in conjunction with its great range of offers available for 201.
Demand for Toyota’s huge range of self-charging hybrids has been unprecedented in 2019 with Kelly’s Toyota in Donegal growing its market share to 13.5% based almost exclusively on sales of hybrids.
In fact, hybrid is the fastest-growing powertrain in Ireland in terms of volume over the last four years and such is its success that Ireland’s best-selling car, Corolla, and the best-selling SUV, C-HR, are both going hybrid only from 2020.
The Hybrid Advantage event, which takes place in Kelly’s Toyota dealerships at Port Road, Letterkenny and Drumbeigh, Mountcharles from the 6 – 9th November, is all about people discovering the myriad benefits of driving self-charging hybrids versus conventionally powered cars.
The team will be showcasing the largest range of self-charging hybrid vehicles available in Ireland today, and are making it easier than ever for interested drivers to start their electric journey in hybrid with a range of fantastic offers and finance deals available for 201:
3 Years servicing as standard across all Passenger Car models
APR’s from 2.9%
Trade in Boosters up to €3,000
3.9% HP on Commercial Vehicles or a €2,500 scrappage scheme for eligible vehicles
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Hybrid Benefits
At the Hybrid Advantage event, visitors to our dealership will learn about the phenomenal benefits Toyota hybrids offer compared to diesel and pure petrol-powered vehicles. These benefits include 30% lower maintenance costs and 30% better fuel economy than petrol cars, as well as better resale value than comparative diesels.
In addition, not only do hybrids not need to be plugged in to charge, they all have automatic transmission, which makes for a much more pleasurable, hassle free driving experience, particularly in rush hour traffic.
Toyota’s self-charging hybrids are also better for the environment, producing 90% less Nitrogen Oxide (NOX, emissions that are hazardous to our health and one of the chief causes of harmful air pollution) than diesel engines. Not only are they better for our health, but also kinder to our pockets as they will benefit from lower future taxes. Also, Toyota’s hybrid range has 21% lower CO2 output compared to the top 10 selling car brands in Ireland, and drive in zero emissions mode more than 60% of the time on average, making them the ideal next step towards electrification for environmentally and cost-conscious drivers.
To provide further peace of mind, all Toyota hybrids come with a 5-year hybrid component warranty, in addition to the three-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Commenting on the Hybrid Advantage event, Steve Tormey, CEO of Toyota Ireland said, “As part of our brand promise ‘Built for a Better World’, Toyota Ireland continues to look ahead to the future, pioneering in innovative self-charging hybrid technology. We firmly believe hybrid presents the best immediate step for Irish drivers looking to move away from pure fossil fuel powered cars towards electrified driving.
“Just this month, we announced a significant move towards a cleaner and more sustainable motoring future by ending the sale of our petrol Corolla and C-HR models in favour of hybrid, which means 92% of our passenger car sales next year will be full hybrid. This move follows our 2018 declaration that we were ceasing production of diesel passenger cars, and we haven’t looked back since.”
For more information on the Toyota Hybrid Advantage event or the 201 offers please visit www.kellystoyota.com
More than 80 schools in Donegal have signed up to Tusla’s launch of its first national School attendance drive ‘Every School Day Counts’ to promote regular school attendance.
Each school day approximately 60,000 students miss school in Ireland, according to the Tusla Education Support Service (Tess) and to combat that trend they are running an attendance drive throughout the month of November.
In addition, Tess believes that attendance is everyone’s business and encourages the wider community to come on board and endeavour to make ‘Every School Day Count’ this November and throughout the school year.
Over 1700 schools right across the country have already signed up to the drive and will be running attendance initiatives in their schools throughout the month.
During the launch, the service will also be unveiling its new name and logo as part of its brand refresh project, to highlight the integrated supports available through its three service strands – Educational Welfare Service; Home School Community Liaison Scheme; and School Completion Programme.
The three services work with children, young people, parents, schools and community family support services to improve attendance, participation and retention.
Addressing over 350 attendees, including government representatives, education professionals, children and young people, Bernard Gloster, Chief Executive of Tusla, said: “Research has shown again and again that regular school attendance is vital in helping children get the best possible start in life.
“It lays the foundation for developing good social skills, building relationships and achieving success later in life. Children who attend school regularly are more likely to stay in school and achieve better educational outcomes.”
Noel Kelly, Director of Tusla Education Support Service, added, “Access to education is a child’s right. We know that investing in education is the most effective way of offsetting the impact of poverty and helps create a level playing field, which gives children from disadvantaged backgrounds a better chance to reach their potential.
Equal access to educational opportunities has the power to pull families and communities out of the cycle of poverty which in turn can help generations to come.
The focus of our work in Tess is to give additional support to the most marginalised 8% of children and young people in our education system who are most likely to leave school early without any qualifications.”
Speaking about the rebrand, Noel said: “I’m also delighted to be here today to reveal our new name and logo. The overall aim of the process is to educate the public on the services we provide to ensure that anyone in need of support, can access the right service, at the right time.
“Over 150 children, young people, parents, schools and staff were engaged in this brand refresh process, to ensure the new name and look resonated with its users and reflected the supportive services it provides.”
A young Syrian refugee has been announced as the proud recipient of the first Professor William C Campbell Bursary.
Suaad Alshleh, who is studying medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, was today awarded a €5,000 annual scholarship by Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh.
The award was launched this year in recognition of Donegal Nobel Prize winner Professor William C Campbell from Ramelton.
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Eunan FrielManaging Director of Healthcare Management; Prof Cathal Kelly RCSI; Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh T.D.; Suaad Alshleh and her mother Wesam Jouma and her father Issam Alshleh and Celine Marmion RCSI Prof of Chemistry and Dept Dean for Student Engagement. JULIEN BEHAL PHOTOGRAPHY.
Recipient Suaad as been praised as an inspirational young woman. She and her family fled the war-torn Syria and spent more than a year in Direct Provision in Monaghan. She studied for her Leaving Cert in Mountmellick Community School Co. Laois and obtained 587 point to successfully gain a place on a Medicine degree programme.
Speaking at the awards ceremony today, Suaad said her goal is to become a doctor in Ireland to give back to the people who helped her and welcomed her as a refugee.
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Picture shows l-r, Prof Cathal Kelly RCSI; Suaad Alshleh and Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh T.D. JULIEN BEHAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Minister McHugh later tweeted his admiration for Suaad and said she was “a hugely impressive young woman and symbol of what is good about welcoming people to our country.”
He also thanked her for sharing the message that “direct provision is not perfect but it does offer hope.”
Ms Alshleh said: “The Professor William C Campbell Bursary is an incredibly generous commemoration of a brilliant scientist that gives students from disadvantaged/DEIS backgrounds the opportunity to pursue third-level education.
“As the first recipient of this award, I can only dream to, one day, have as far-reaching an influence on the world as Professor Campbell has had.
“And as a Syrian refugee, I‘m incredibly grateful for the Irish community as a whole for embracing me as one of their own and supporting and encouraging me, through initiatives like this, to realise my dream of studying medicine.”
Minister McHugh added: “I am delighted to be able to offer the scholarship to Suaad Alshleh. She is an inspiration and I hope she enjoys her studies at such a prestigious institution as the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland. Professor Campbell’s legacy is something that we should build on and by supporting students like Suaad and others in the coming years we can do that.”
Young Donegal student Aisling O’Connor, who died following a tragic kayaking accident, will be laid to rest later this week.
Aisling (aged 21), from Ballyshannon, passed away on Monday – two days after an incident on a university trip in Co. Kerry.
Her funeral (Mass of Resurrection) will take place on Saturday 9th November at St Joseph’s Church the Rock, Ballyshannon at 12noon. Interment afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
A wake will be held at the family home in Abbey, Ballyshannon on Thursday from 6pm until 9pm and on Friday from 1pm until 9pm.
House private please to the family on the morning of the funeral.
Aisling is survived by her mother Sorcha Begley, Ballyshannon and David O’Connor, Cork, her brothers Ciaran, Matthew and sisters Clodagh and Maeve.
Tributes continue to pour in for the popular young woman, who was in her third year of an Industrial Biochemistry degree at University of Limerick.
It was announced yesterday that Aisling will be giving the gift of life to save others through organ donation.
Her father David, in a heartfelt tribute sent to Cork radio station 98fm, said: “Incredibly, within 10 minutes of her being pronounced dead yesterday, the liver transplant team identified Aisling as a perfect match for a patient of theirs. Even in death, Aisling continues to care for, enrich and help others in need. “
Hospitals across the country could be faced with massive disruption with doctors to back back plans for a ballot for industrial action over pay and recruitment issues.
According to the Irish Times, members of Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) will be urged from leadership to support a vote on industrial action up to and including strike action over lower pay rates.
The IMO said it was seeking an immediate end to what it described as “the unjustifiable pay inequality faced by consultants which is based solely on when they were appointed”.
It also wants an immediate increase in the number of consultants employed in the health system in line with recommended ratios.
Former IMO president and hospital consultant Dr Matt Sadlier said the health service was “coming apart and doctors could not stand idly by”.
He said there was a palpable groundswell of anger amongst the medical profession at the refusal of the Government to end the pay inequality problem.
The IMO said the Government had failed at talks last month to put forward any proposals to address the two-tier pay system.
The IMO maintained the pay inequality issue was directly linked to the failure of hospitals to fill permanently up to 500 consultant posts.
Dr Sadlier said: “The Government is ignoring the dire implications of the consultant recruitment crisis. Yesterday, hospitals recorded the second-highest ever level of patients on trolleys and we currently have 770,000 patients on hospital waiting lists. There are a further 165,000 waiting for vital imaging services such as MRI; this is against the backdrop of a health service that has the lowest number of specialists per capita in the EU.
“We expect the consultant and non-consultant hospital doctor members of the union to agree to hold a ballot for industrial action this evening to send this Government the strongest signal yet that this situation is intolerable and cannot be allowed to continue.”
For the music fan in your life, a gift that offers brilliant sound could be the perfect present for Christmas 2019.
Irwin Expert Electrical in Letterkenny and Buncrana stock a top range of Sonas systems for mighty sound on Christmas morning.
Sonos Speakers and Home Sound Systems have been specially designed to create brilliant sound that fills a room with clear and detailed sound at any volume level.
Systems are available for streaming or can be connected to your TV for powerful cinematic experiences.
Here, Irwins Expert Electrical Letterkenny Manager Shaun Mallon shares his guide to one of his favourite products in store:
Find out more about the individual products below.
Having started off in a modest store 40 years ago in Buncrana, Irwin Expert Electrical retail is part of Expert Group – Ireland’s largest electrical retailer with 67 stores nationwide.
Irwin Expert Electrical have a state of the art showroom in Letterkenny are continually introducing new brands and new products, giving the consumer more choice, better prices and, according to Declan Irwin, their success is simply down to having the right mix of products and great customer service.
Sound Anywhere
The durable, battery-powered smart speaker for outdoor and indoor listening. Get brilliant sound anywhere with the weatherproof and drop-resistant Move. Control with your voice, the Sonos app, and Apple AirPlay 2 at home, and stream via Bluetooth when WiFi isn’t available.
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Smart Sound for Every Room
The powerful smart speaker with voice control built-in. Get rich, room-filling sound with Sonos One, and control it with your voice, the Sonos app, Apple AirPlay 2, and more.
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High Definition Sound for your TV
The smart, compact soundbar for TV, music, and more. Play everything that matters to you with Beam. Control it with your voice, remote, the Sonos app, and more.
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Essential Sound for Every Room
The powerful smart speaker with voice control built-in. Get rich, room-filling sound with Sonos One, and control it with your voice, the Sonos app, Apple AirPlay 2, and more.
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Studio Quality
The most powerful speaker for high-fidelity sound. Experience pure, vibrant sound with Play:5, tuned by renowned producer Giles Martin. Control it with the Sonos app, Apple AirPlay 2, and more.
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Connect Everything
The versatile streaming component for your stereo or receiver. Connect Port to your traditional stereo to stream music and more. Enjoy control with the Sonos app or Apple AirPlay 2, and easily expand your sound system to more rooms.
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Cinematic Sound
The mountable soundbar for TV, films, music, and more. Enjoy crisp dialogue and impressive bass from wall to wall with Playbar. Control it with the Sonos app, your remote, and more.
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Bold Bass
The wireless subwoofer for deep bass. Hear and feel the difference when you connect Sub to any Sonos system.
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Cinematic Sound
The sleek soundbase for TV, films, music, and more. Enjoy crisp dialogue and impressive bass from wall to wall with Playbase. Control it with the Sonos app, your remote, Apple AirPlay 2, and more.
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Power Everything – For Wired Speakers
The versatile amplifier for powering all your entertainment. Bring the Sonos experience to your floor-standing, in-wall, in-ceiling, outdoor, and bookshelf speakers with Amp.
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Why Choose Sonos
Brilliant Sound
Enjoy clear, richly-detailed sound that fills the room at any volume.
Easy to Use
Setup takes minutes, and control is simple with the Sonos app, Apple AirPlay 2, and your voice.
Listen Your Way
Customise your system and play what you want, where you want.
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Voice control
The Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are built right-in so you can play music, check news, set alarms, get your questions answered, and more, completely hands-free.
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Irwin Expert Electrical’s Christmas Club is open and will be delighted to help you choose the perfect Gift, you can pay in for it & collect by Christmas. They also accept SHOP LK vouchers.
They are so thankful to their customers for shopping local and choosing Irwin Expert Electrical as their preferred Home Appliance, TV, Computer Centre & Household Electrical Retail Store for in the North West.
Irwin Expert Electrical Letterkenny Showroom – Port Road, Letterkenny (Behind Browne Printers – Opposite Letterkenny Institute of Technology.)
Donegal County Council has announced that gritters will be out on the majority of main roads tonight from 9pm.
Temperatures will drop to lows of 1C this Wednesday night, as Met Eireann forecasts a calm and cloudy night with patches of mist and fog.
Thursday will be a cold and mostly cloudy day and the north west is set to experience some bright spells, but scattered showers also, some of them heavy, with a risk of thunder, especially along the coast.
The following routes will be gritted from 9PM tonight, Wednesday:
A dog was left tied to a gate trying to feed her six newborn puppies, according to the ISPCA.
The lurcher dog was found chained to the gate in a field near Elphin in Co Roscommon.
A passer-by who found the dogs contacted gardaí and the ISPCA.
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Emmy Lou and her pups were rescued after ISPA and gardaí were alerted
The dogs were taken to the National Animal Centre in Longford.
They were cold and hungry, but do not appear to have any other health issues.
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ISPCA Centre Manager Hugh O’Toole said he did not understand how anyone could think it was okay to leave a dog tied to a gate with no access to food or water.
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He said the adult dog, which is two years old, was not microchipped.
Mr O’Toole said: “Leaving a young dog only two years old tied up without water, food or shelter most definitely put her along with her young puppies’ lives at risk.
“I don’t understand how anyone can think it is okay to leave a dog tied to a gate to nurse her puppies.”
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He added: “With the recent level of rainfall and cold weather this week, the outcome could have been very different and I’m happy we were alerted so we could help them.”
A jury has found two Donegal residents guilty of raping a student after bringing her to their flat after a night out.
Boakye Osei (29) of Tooban, Burnfoot and Kelvin Opoku (33) of Cill Greine, Letterkenny had pleaded not guilty to rape of the woman in a Donegal town in February 2015.
After a five week trial, a jury of seven men and four women took just over two hours to return unanimous guilty verdicts.
During the trial the woman, who is now aged in her 20s, testified that she had been out drinking with her friend in a local nightclub and she was drunk and finding it difficult to walk home.
She said the men were in a car and offered them a lift home. She said the men brought them back to a flat and offered them drink.
She told the jury she remembers lying on a bed and someone heavy on her and then something “inside her”. She said that the men swapped over and the second man raped her.
The woman said she was “blind drunk” and could not and did not consent to any sexual activity.
Her friend gave evidence that she was kissing and touching Osei while Opoku was having sex with the victim on the same bed. She said she told Osei she didn’t want to have sex and he went over to her friend and had sex with her.
Osei denied any sexual activity between him and the complainant. When shown evidence that his semen was found on her underwear he replied “no comment”. His lawyers argued the semen traces could have come from cross-contamination.
Opoku told gardaí that he and the woman had sex which she consented to. He said he didn’t believe she was too drunk to consent.
Gardaí later showed him mobile phone footage taken by the victim’s friend in which the victim is staggering around the apartment and later falling on the bathroom floor, exposing her underwear, before the two men hold her up. Opoku said she wasn’t in that condition when they had sex.
He and the victim’s friend told gardaí that the victim was saying “harder” and moaning during the sex. Cross-examined on this the victim said she may have been dreaming and had a history of talking and moaning in her sleep.
“I was half way between sleep and drunkenness. I felt like I didn’t know what was happening. I didn’t know if it was a dream or it was actually happening. I was just so drunk,” she said.
Justice Alex Owens ordered a Probation Service report for both men and certified them as sex offenders.
He also ordered a victim impact statement to be prepared for a sentence date on January 13, next. He remanded the two Ghanaian nationals in custody to that date.
