A man accused of sexually assaulting a patient while working as a care assistant in the Mater Private Hospital in Dublin has gone on trial at the Circuit Criminal Court.
Folajimmy Awode (31), Ballinteer House, Tyrrelstown, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault of a female patient at the Mater Private Hospital, Eccles Street, in November 2013.
The woman alleges she was awoken by a rubbing sensation on her breast and, on opening her eyes, she saw Mr Awode lifting his hand from her body. In a Garda interview read to court, Mr Awode said he went to the woman’s bedroom because someone was coughing.
He went to her bedside for a few seconds to check on her and saw she was asleep, he said.
Catherine McKeown, who was in charge of nursing and care staff that night, said she was called to the ward shortly after midnight and told of the situation.
She said she informed Mr Awode of the accusation and he denied it.The trial continues before Judge Patricia Ryan and a jury.