A teenager accused of raping a girl when he was 15 has failed in a High Court challenge seeking to stop his trial because of stress caused, as an Asperger's and ADHD sufferer, by a two-year delay in charging him. In the meantime, he had brought a High Court challenge seeking to stop it. The High Court judge also pointed out the boy would still retain his anonymity and have the benefit of the provisions regarding the sentencing of children should he be convicted. While he has vulnerabilities and make a trial difficult for him, he had not established they were caused or exacerbated significantly by the delay, the High Court said. The High Court had carried out the correct balancing exercise and the Court of Appeal was in full agreement with the conclusions reached by the High Court.

Source: Irish Examiner January 29, 2026 23:28 UTC