The jury in the trial of a man accused of raping a woman with Down Syndrome in Dublin has begun its deliberations.

The woman, who is in her 20s, claims he brought her back to his apartment after she became separated from her mother while out for a jog.

The accused, who is from Pakistan, was arrested five days after the woman was allegedly raped during the summer of 2013.

He admitted having sexual contact with her, but said it was consensual.

He told gardaí he had never heard of Down Syndrome, and would not have approached her if he had known.

During his direct evidence earlier in the trial, he said in big cities back in his country, people with special needs wear badges to let others know.

The jury also heard from 16 other women - who said they were approached by the accused around the same time as the alleged rape.

He said he would often ask random women on the street to go back to his place.

He said it was legal here, unlike back in Pakistan, and he did it because he enjoyed sex.

The jury has now retired to begin its deliberations.

Before they were sent away, Mr. Justice Tony Hunt told them they must focus on the evidence only and not allow any sympathy for the alleged victim cloud their judgement.