A man has gone on trial accused of raping his elderly aunt after holding a knife to her throat. It is alleged he subjected the 73-year-old to a 3 hour ordeal at her home in Co. Louth.

The accused, who cannot be named, denies two charges of rape - along with counts of anal rape, sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault on March 13th 2011.

Opening the case for the prosecution, barrister Michael Delaney told the jury it will hear evidence that the man called to his aunt's house shortly after 7am that morning.

Although they are related, he said this was only their second meeting with the first having been about a week earlier.

It is alleged that when she went into the kitchen to make a cup of tea the man covered her mouth with his hand, put a knife to her throat and pulled her back into the sitting room where he allegedly threatened to kill her if she roared or shouted.

The prosecution claims he raped and abused her there and in her bedroom in an ordeal lasting over 3 hours before dressing and leaving.