A taxi driver accused of sexually assaulting a young woman in the city four months ago has been further remanded on bail.
The 34-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is charged with the sexual assualt of a woman at Inchagoill Road, Newcastle, on February 24, 2010.
Inspector Pat McHugh told the court that the investigation into this “serious” offence has taken three months and that a file had been sent to the DPP four weeks ago.
Garda Annemarie Conroy said after the man had been charged a “substantial” file was sent to the DPP. She added that following the arrest of the taxi driver numerous statements had to be taken, CCTV footage viewed, and medical reports obtained.
Defence solicitor Olivia Traynor said that her client has been on bail since February 24. Bail had been granted at a previous court sitting with an independent surety of €4,000 to be approved by the court. Conditions of the bail included that the accused man sign on at Galway Garda Station three days a week between 9pm and 9am, that he reside at the address furnished to gardai, not interfere with the injured party or witnesses, abide by a curfew of between 10pm and 7am, and that he hand over his passport and not apply for another passport or any other travel documents.
Ms Traynor then noted that she had not previously been informed that there had been a delay in sending the file to the DPP. She also said that the bail conditions and the delay has had an adverse effect on her client as he has been unable to work.
Judge Aeneas McCarthy then remanded the accused on continuing bail to appear at Galway District Court on July 26 for DPP directions.
