Man charged with 12 counts of indecent assault on boy

When he was initially charged in May, the court was told that the married man (49), who cannot be named for legal reasons, had replied to one charge: “I’m absolutely innocent of these charges – it was his own father who did this.”

The State had strenuously objected to him being granted bail, on the grounds that there was a serious feud going on in the background – the State expressed fear that the defendant would threaten and intimidate witnesses if released.

When Judge Mary Fahy made the decision that bail was refused, the defendant shouted that she had made the decision due to a prejudiced view she had of him.

“You should be absolutely ashamed,” he told the Judge, and then refused to stand up when instructed to do so.

“I’ve no respect for this, I don’t know why I should stand,” he said, before finally doing what he was told. A large number of his family had to be escorted out of the courtroom by Gardaí due to their vocal outbursts.

The defendant was subsequently granted bail in the High Court, albeit with strict conditions.

On Monday, Garda Paul McNulty served the Book of Evidence on the defendant. Inspector Mick O’Dwyer advised the court that the DPP had consented to the accused being sent forward for trial, or sent forward for sentencing on a signed plea, to the next sitting of Galway Circuit Criminal Court, commencing on October 9.

He was then given the alibi warning by Judge Fahy, that should he be relying on one in the defence of his case that he must furnish details to the State in advance.

He was granted free legal aid for a solicitor, junior counsel, and senior counsel, before being returned on High Court bail.

Solicitor for the defendant, Gearóid Geraghty, requested that reporting restrictions would apply at this stage, adding that this may not be the case at Circuit Court level. The State had no objection to the request.

The man is charged with indecently assaulting the boy on dates in 1981 and 1982, contrary to Common Law.