Donald Trump has said the civil rape case he is facing in New York is a ‘disgrace’ and a political attack.
During a visit to his Doonbeg Golf Resort in County Clare today, the former US president said he was cutting short his trip to Ireland because of the case.
Donald Trump has been accused of raping writer E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s.
Mr Trump slammed the US court system for letting the trial go ahead.
“It’s a disgrace that it is allowed to happen against a rich guy, or in my case against a famous, rich and political person that's leading the polls by 40 points,” he said.
The former US president said he plans to fight the accusation.
“I have to go back for a woman that made a false accusation about me, and I have a judge that is extremely hostile,” he said.
“I'm going to confront this, but this woman is a disgrace.”
"It shouldn't be allowed to happen in our country.”
View this post on Instagram
'The accusation'
Ms Carroll has accused Mr Trump of raping her during a visit to a Bergdorf Goodman department store in the mid-1990s.
She claims she was recognised by Mr Trump as she was leaving the store, and was persuaded by him to help him shop for a gift for a female friend.
She has said Mr Trump then raped her in a dressing room in the lingerie department.
Mr Trump’s lawyer Joseph Tacopina has said he will present no witnesses during the trial.
Mr Tacopina had previously told Judge Lewis A. Kaplan that Mr Trump would not testify in the civil case at the Manhattan federal court.
'Rape Crisis Centre'
You can contact the freephone 24-Hour National Helpline for the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre at 1800 77 8888, at any time of day or night.
They offer a free and confidential listening and support service for anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted, sexually harassed or sexually abused at any time in their lives.
