The trial of an Irish firefighter accused of raping a woman in Boston on St. Patrick’s Day weekend last year has heard how the woman’s "nightmare began as she woke up."
Terence Crosbie was part of a group of Dublin Fire Brigade members who went to Massachusetts in March 2024.
The alleged victim in the case told officers that she was socialising with friends of Mr. Crosbie at Irish pub, the Black Rose. The District Attorney’s office, which is prosecuting the case, said that the two were spotted together on the bar’s CCTV.
The alleged victim told police Mr. Crosbie sexually assaulted her at the historic Omni Parker House hotel after she had consensual sex with his colleague, with whom he was sharing the hotel room.
"Our nightmares belong in our sleep and our nightmares are supposed to end when we wake up," the prosecuting lawyer, Suffolk Assistant District Attorney Daniela Mendes, said in her opening statement to the jury.
"Her nightmare began when she woke up," Ms. Mendes said.
"When [Crosbie] entered that hotel room, he saw that [the victim] was asleep, and that she was vulnerable and defenceless. He saw an opportunity, and he took full, violent advantage of it," Ms. Mendes added.
The prosecutor added that the alleged victim had tried to push Mr. Crosbie way and said, "What are you doing? Stop!", according to a police report that was read out in the court.
Crosbie allegedly said, "This guy is sleeping. I know you want this. He fell asleep," according to the woman.
The prosecution’s case is that the woman had gone back to the hotel with another man earlier that night.
"She did not sign up to be raped in her sleep by that man’s hotel roommate," the prosecuting lawyer told the court.
Mr. Crosbie’s defence lawyer, Patrick Garrity, told the jury: "The evidence will show you that there is a lot of doubt."
Mr. Garrity began his opening statement by placing his hands on Mr. Crosbie’s shoulder and telling the jury he went by the name Terry.
Mr. Crosbie is "seated here because this is the only avenue he has to deny these allegations," he told the jury.
"We don’t convict people on maybes or what-ifs.
"We don’t convict people on emotion, and this is going to be an emotional case," he said.
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.
The criminal justice system in the US differs from Ireland.
In cases of rape in Ireland, a statement of complaint is made to gardaí, usually after the victim attends a sexual assault treatment unit. A file is then prepared for the DPP containing interviews with the victim, as well as any other evidence such as DNA evidence, CCTV footage etc.
However, in the US, you can be charged with rape a lot faster – and unlike in Ireland, you can be named straight away.
In the case involving the fire brigade member, the alleged victim came forward and made a complaint. This has been the main evidence used to charge him.
In a statement following his arrest, Mr. Crosbie’s 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."
*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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