One of two men accused of raping and falsely imprisoning a woman at Ceannt Station on August 1 last, is now also accused of a separate charge of stealing a bag and items to the value of €450 from a city centre bar.
Both men appeared before Judge Fiona Lydon at Galway District Court via video-link from prison and both are to appear before the court in person tomorrow (September 23 ), where the rape and false imprisonment charges will be progressed.
As both the accused men are Jordanian, the services of an Arabic interpreter were employed to assist proceedings.
Both accused are represented by Sarah Ryan, solr, and she is advising Donal Cronin BL who told the judge that their High Court bid for bail had been turned down.
Judge Lydon accepted jurisdiction in the matter of the alleged stolen bag from Mary Mullen’s Bar on Prospect Hill, while the more serious charges will move on to the Central Criminal Court after the books of evidence are presented to them by investigating Gardaí.
Garda Sgt Damien Prendergast told Monday’s sitting of Galway District Court (September 21 ) that one of the men was accused of taking a black bag containing a jacket and other items to the value of €450 from the bar.
The accused was told via the Arabic interpreter that he could have his theft case heard in the District Court or go before a judge and jury in the Circuit Court. He will be given this option formally when he appears in person on Wednesday.
The property was not recovered and there were no aggravating factors involved in the alleged theft.
Both of the men refused a fortnight ago to give their consent to being remanded in custody for a further month to allow time for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP ) to prepare their case, so they were then remanded for two weeks, which is the maximum Judge Lydon could accede to in such circumstances.
Both face charges of the rape of a female at Ceannt Railway Station car park on August 1. They also face charges of falsely imprisoning the alleged victim on that date and at the same location.
Speaking through the interpreter, the younger of the two men detailed how he was keen to secure bail as he had recently married and had not seen his wife for some time.
The accused, aged 27 and 25, were refused bail when they came before Galway District Court, and the High Court refused to grant bail when their legal representatives applied for it there.
Judge Lydon said two weeks ago that she had not been presented with any information which might lead her to grant bail, and in light of their refusal to consent to a one-month remand, they were remanded in custody for a further two weeks to appear before the court via video-link on Monday, and they will appear in person on Wednesday next.
