Man before courts on rape charge

GARDA SAID HE FEARED FOR PUBLIC’S SAFETY IF ACCUSED MAN WAS GRANTED BAIL

A MAN has been brought in custody before a court in Kerry on Monday afternoon charged with breaking into a residence in the early hours and raping the occupant, a woman who lived alone.

A Detective Garda Sergeant told the court he arrested the man – who cannot be named for legal reasons – at a garda station Monday morning and charged him, at another garda station.

He has been charged with one count of rape, one count of attempted rape. He was also charged with one count of burglary in which a sum of €500 was taken.

The court heard that the man made no reply to the charges.

The alleged offences occurred in the early hours, at around 3.15 am, on a date in mid-September 2015, the arresting sergeant told the court.

Counsel for the man, in the course of applying for bail, said his client would be prepared to abide by any bail conditions the court saw fit to impose on him.

However objecting to bail, the sergeant said there was strong evidence and there was a risk of flight.

The court heard that the accused man’s fingerprints were located in the alleged victim’s residence and that the man had left behind a jacket which he was seen wearing on closed circuit television footage.

In objecting to bail the sergeant said that “I fear for the safety of the public if this man is granted bail.”

Judge James O’Connor refused bail and remanded the man in custody to appear again in court today, Wednesday.