Rape charges against Edenderry woman in Australia to be dropped

Edenderry woman Anne-Marie O'Loughlin is expected to return to Ireland within the next fortnight, after news broke today that all charges against her are to be dropped in Australia. Twenty-six year old Anne-Marie was convicted late last year on two counts of digital rape and one of deprivation of liberty at Brisbane's Caxton Hotel on November 29, 2009. The court heard she attacked and digitally raped a woman in the female toilets of the hotel. She was jailed for two and a half years, with a release date in March 2012. Just ten days ago Anne-Marie was granted a new trial after appealing, which was scheduled to begin on August 22 of this year. Today all charges against Anne-Marie are to be dropped, after the case's 34 year old complainant formally withdrew her complaint. According to Anne-Marie's father Shay Anne-Marie is set to go to court tomorrow, where a document signed by the complainant will be recognised by the court and charges against her dropped leaving her free to leave Australia and return to Ireland. "She rang us at ten to twelve last night (Sunday) with the news," Shay O'Loughlin told the Offaly Independent this morning. Anne-Marie's delighted dad said all work planned for this week will be put on hold to celebrate his daughter's freedom. "There'll be nothing done this week," he said excitedly. Though no concrete plans have been made, Shay says now Anne-Marie is expected home in Ireland within the fortnight.