Dublin firefighter accused of Boston rape has hearing delayed (2024)

Terrence Crosbie of Dublin was arrested at Boston Logan International Airport in March as he attempted to fly back to Ireland.

Crosbie (37) was indicted last week, moving the case to Suffolk Superior Court.

Mr Crosbie was charged on March 18 with the alleged rape of a woman at the landmark hotel Omni Parker House, on Friday, March 15.

Mr Crosbie, who has been placed on leave by Dublin Fire Brigade since the charges emerged, has denied the allegations and claims he never said a word to her.

He had been remanded in custody by a US judge when he appeared in the Central Division of Boston Municipal Court last month.

At the hearing one of his attorneys, Daniel Reilly requested additional records from the Omni Parker House and the Black Rose pub in the city’s downtown area- two locations where Mr Crosbie was the night of the alleged attack.

According to Mr Reilly, his team has received some footage but they are looking for a more detailed window of video surveillance from both the pub and the hotel. They are also requesting employee information from the hotel.

“CCTV footage from bars and hotels tends to be written over after 30 days,” Mr Reilly told the court. “We want to make sure we get to that before it might disappear, before memories might fade, in case it shows anything that is exculpatory or might serve as alter impeachment evidence.”

The prosecution argued that the request for employee information is too vague, not specific and irrelevant.

They claimed that Boston Police Department had adequately obtained records during their investigation and the defence should subpoena the police records.

The judge informed the count that Mr Reilly should obtain the records relating to Mr Crosbie’s actions and those he interacted with on the night in question. He added that it is understandable that the defence may want to obtain the records themselves and ‘not rely solely on the Commonwealth.’

Mr Reilly said his client maintains his innocence and that the case will likely proceed to the Massachusetts Supreme Court.

He is being held on $100,000 bail and was ordered to surrender his passport and remain in Massachusetts.

At a previous hearing, lawyers representing the Dublin Fire Brigade firefighter said he will “do everything” to clear his name.

“I can tell you right now, he is going to fight and clear his name and do everything that he can to address these charges and maintain his innocence,” Boston attorney Brad Bailey told Boston 25 News Reporter Bob Ward.

“This is a man, Bob, who has never been in trouble before. Has no prior record, has never been in jail. Here he is, in a jail cell with no ability to make bail, really in a situation that is arguably punitive for somebody who has the presumption of innocence,” Bailey said.

The victim told police in a report, the incident occurred on March 14 at the Black Rose Irish Pub near Faneuil Hall where she met a man from Ireland.

She told police they returned to his room at the Omni Parker House hotel where they had consensual sex.

Afterward, she told police they fell asleep in separate beds.

The following day, the victim said she woke up to another man, later identified as Terence Crosbie sexually assaulting her.

The victim quoted Crosbie, who she didn’t know, as saying, “I know you want this, he (the other man) fell asleep.”

Crosbie and the other man, both from Ireland, were visiting Boston for St. Patrick’s Day and were sharing the hotel room.

In an interview with police, Crosbie denied the rape.

He told police he climbed into bed not knowing she was even there, but he heard her gather her clothes and leave the room.

Crosbie who claims he never said a word to her, was arrested at Logan Airport on March 16, three days before his previously scheduled flight, trying to get back to Ireland.

Members of the Massachusetts State Police stopped Mr Crosbie’s plane on the tarmac and removed him.

“As always in these matters, the willingness of the victim to come forward is crucial," District Attorney Kevin Hayden said on March 18.

In a statement last month, Dublin Fire Brigade 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 circ*mstances 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."