A witness in a Wicklow murder trial has told the jury she heard a woman screaming “rape” around the same time of the alleged killing.

Marta Herda of Pairc na Saile, Emoclew Road, Arklow, is accused of murdering her Hungarian colleague by deliberately driving off a harbour.

The 29-year-old's car plunged into the sea at South Quay in Arklow after crashing through a barrier on the harbour at around 6am on March 26th, 2013. She managed to swim to safety but her passenger, Csaba Orsas, drowned. 

On the morning of the alleged murder, Christine Byrne, who lived near South Quay at the time, said she woke to the sound of a woman screaming.

She said the woman sounded distressed and she went out to investigate after hearing the words “help" and "rape”. She said she met a woman at the top of the road who was dripping wet and very upset.

A paramedic who treated Ms Herda said she was distressed and kept referring to someone called Csaba.

On the way to hospital, he said she told him that “he shouldn’t have been there” and admitted driving into the water.

The trial continues tomorrow.