Man accused of falsely imprisoning woman

A MAN has appeared in court charged with the alleged false imprisonment of a 31-year-old woman in a van this week.

‘Appropriate to refuse bail’

Karl O’Reilly, 40, with an address in Granard, Co. Longford, was charged with two counts of false imprisonment, two threats to kill or cause serious harm, one count of assault and one over the possession of a knife.

One charge of false imprisonment and one charge of threatening to harm relate to February 28 this year, in Co. Longford.

The other charges of false imprisonment, threatening to harm and possession of a knife relate to Tuesday, March 12 in Arklow, Co. Wicklow.

The assault charge relates to the period from February 28 to March 12. Mr O’Reilly appeared before Bray District Court yesterday, which heard that when charged and cautioned, he said: ‘No thanks.’

An application for bail was, opposed by An Garda Síochána.

Detective Sergeant Donal O’Sullivan, of Arklow Garda Station, said that the woman in question, whose identity is not being disclosed in line with a judge’s request, had flown back to England.

The court heard that Mr O’Reilly ‘contested the allegations’ when interviewed by gardaí.

Gardaí requested that the accused be remanded in custody given the ‘seriousness’ of the alleged offences.

Judge Nicola Andrews said it was ‘appropriate’ to refuse bail, stating that the allegations are ‘extremely serious’.

Mr O’Reilly is due to appear before Bray District Court via video link next Thursday, March 21 at 10.30am. The father-ofthree, originally from Clondalkin, Dublin, returned to Ireland around two years ago after living in the UK for 17 years.