Man accused of luring 12-year-old from Luas stop can be named in six days’ time

A JUDGE ruled that a man accused of luring a 12-year-old boy from a Luas stop to a hotel and offering him money to touch him can be named – but with a six-day stay on the order.

Judge David McHugh made his decision after defence lawyers sought an order preventing the media from identifying the married father of three.

The man (51) is charged with sexually exploiting a child at the Citywest Hotel, Saggart, on October 20, 2016 under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998.

He was returned for trial on the charge at Blanchardstown District Court. Yesterday, his solicitor John O’Doherty asked the judge to clarify what reporting restrictions applied.

The judge said the man could be named as long as the alleged victim was not identified. The man is on bail pending his trial and has not yet indicated how he intends to plead.

Judge McHugh said as long as the boy was not identified, he had “no difficulty” with identification of the accused.

Mr O’Doherty said he was seeking reporting restrictions on the naming of his client, arguing his right to a fair trial would be prejudiced. Judge McHugh said he would put a stay on the identification of the accused until Thursday, when the case will be in court again.