Dublin firefighter pleads not guilty to raping woman in Boston

A Dublin firefighter charged with raping a woman in Boston over the St Patrick’s Day weekend has pleaded not guilty.

Terence Crosbie, 37, appeared in Suffolk Superior Court yesterday evening after he was indicted by a grand jury last month.

Assistant District Attorney Erin Murphy said a 28-year-old woman told Boston police she was assaulted at the Omni Parker Hotel in March.

READ MORE – Gaelic footballer guilty of punching opponent in face

READ MORE – Trial of garda accused of corruption hears cheques from alleged victims ‘made out to partner and lodged’

The alleged victim went back to the hotel with the man who was sharing a room with Crosbie.

The alleged victim and the man both fell asleep in separate beds.

Crosbie was not in the room at this time but key swipe records show he returned at 1:55 am.

Assistant District Attorney Murphy said: “Because the victim was asleep when he returned she was unaware that he was even there until she woke up to him actively raping her.

“She demanded that he stop and asked what he was doing and the defendant continued, he did not stop and he made remarks to the effect of that he knew that she wanted this, that it was pathetic that his friend had fallen asleep and couldn’t do it and that he was going to do it for her.”

The alleged victim is understood to have left the room around 2:15 am, according to hotel records. At which point, she texted a friend to tell them she’d been sexually assaulted before heading to hospital.

The prosecution alleged that when Crosbie learned a police probe had been launched – he tried to return to Ireland. They said he changed his return flight before boarding an even earlier one at Logan International Airport.

The plane was stopped on the tarmac and Crosbie was arrested and removed. Crosbie told cops he returned to the room and said that there was a woman there but denied having any interaction with her.

He denied the rape allegations and pleaded not guilty. Crosbie’s legal team claimed he was not trying to flee the country.

They said he was unsure of what to do because he was in a foreign country and was returning home to get help. The defence asked for a $5,000 cash bail, citing concerns about Crosbie’s financial means while abroad.

The prosecution however hit back and requested a $100,000 bail, citing the nature of the charges. They said his attempts to get on a flight were an area of concern.

The prosecution also said that because Crosbie was removed from a departing flight at the last minute – he is now considered to have entered the US illegally and could be detained by immigration officers if he was released.

Crosbie’s bail was set at $100,000 cash.

He must stay away and have no contact direct or indirect with the alleged victim, not to leave Massachusetts, to surrender his passport prior to release, and not apply for another one.

Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.