Man faces 48 charges alleging sexual offences against males

FORTY-eight charges against a man in his late forties alleging sexual offences committed against a couple of males were considered briefly at Wexford District Court.

The defendant was brought to the courthouse in Belvedere Road under arrest but released on bail until June 12 pending preparation of a book of evidence.

Garda Sergeant Victor Isdell informed Judge Gerard Haughton that the DPP had directed trial in the Central Criminal Court.

Formal evidence of charging the unemployed accused was given by Garda Josh Doran who confirmed the 48 charge numbers.

The charge sheets contained 13 allegations of indecent assault and 12 of sexual assault of one male over a period from 1989 to 1991.

A second alleged victim was mentioned on 23 charge sheets – one of indecent assault, 21 of sexual assault and one of rape – on various dates in 1991 and 1992. All incidents occurred in the Wexford town area.

The defendant agreed to surrender his passport and sign on three times a week at his local garda station.

Judge Haughton confirmed the appointment of solicitor Tim Cummings to the case under the free legal aid scheme.

The accused left the court after signing his bail bond.