Woman accused of sexually exploiting boy

A 45-year-old woman accused of 17 counts of sexual exploitation of a child, has been remanded on agreed conditional bail to 27 February next for a book of evidence.

As part of the bail conditions, €1,000 was lodged with the court.

Legal aid was granted to the defendant.

The hearing was heard in camera (in private) when a garda gave evidence of arresting the defendant at The Crescent, Dundalk, on 7 February last and subsequently charging her.

When the charges were put to her, she replied ‘no comment’.

Judge Coughlan heard the alleged injured party was a boy, aged 15 at the time. He is not related to the accused.

The DPP has directed a prosecution on indictment, Sgt Fintan McGroder said. There was no objection to the defendant being granted her own bail.

However, Judge Coughlan said he wanted bail looked at closely, and ordered the woman be placed in the cells for a time until everything was finalised.

The defendant is charged with one count that she did sexually exploit a child on 17 May, 2015; six counts on 19 June, 2015; seven on 24 June, 2015 and three on 25 June, 2015.

All the offences are alleged to have occurred at the same address in mid-Louth.