Man facing 25 counts of rape must surrender his passport
The defendant appeared before Castlebar District Court.
A man charged with 25 counts of rape must surrender his passport as part of an application for bail.
The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared before Castlebar District Court last Wednesday.
Gda Pamela Davis told the court the accused had been arrested earlier that day and cautioned. He made no reply when charged.
The defendant is facing 25 charges of rape relating to a period between 2021 and 2022. The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed trial on indictment.
Gda Davis objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the charges and her belief that the defendant might leave the jurisdiction. The court heard no bench warrant had previously been issued for him.
Defence counsel explained to the court that the accused had been arrested and interviewed in March and there had been no issue since. He told the court his client had lived in the country for around 10 years, attended college here and was in employment.
Judge Vincent Deane noted that the Garda objection rested solely on the likelihood of the accused failing to turn up for court. He said the accused was presumed innocent until proven guilty, had no bench warrants issued against him up to now and had attended court since being interviewed in March. He asked whether surrendering a passport would allay the concerns of An Garda Síochána.
Gardaí agreed to travel to the accused’s residence immediately for the purposes of surrendering his passport.
Judge Deane said the strength of the evidence and the seriousness of the offences - the second most serious to come before the courts - were not in themselves grounds for refusing bail. The judge added that the defendant was interviewed in March and has not taken flight since and, therefore, he was inclined to grant bail.
Bail was granted on condition that the accused sign on daily at a garda station and immediately surrender his passport.
The man was remanded on bail to Castlebar District Court on November 19 next for service of the book of evidence.
Judge Deane granted legal aid to the defendant.
- Published as part of the Courts Reporting Scheme.
