A city man charged with 14 counts of rape at two locations in the city more than 25 years ago has been sent forward for trial at the Central Criminal Court.
The 49-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is charged with six counts of raping a female at one location in a city housing estate on various dates between February 4 1985, and June 30 1986, and eight further counts of raping the same female at a second location on December 17 1984 and on various dates between July 1 1983 and February 2 1985, contrary to Section 48 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape ) Act 1981 as amended by Section 21 of the Criminal Law (Rape ) Act 1990.
At Monday’s sitting of Galway District Court, Garda Marie Freeley gave evidence of serving the accused man with the book of evidence and that this included all 14 counts.
Inspector Mick Coppinger further explained that the Director of Public Prosecutions has consented to the accused being returned for trial to the present sitting of the Central Criminal Court.
Judge Mary Fahy made the order for return for trial before giving the alibi warning and remanded the accused on a new bail bond of €1,000 with conditions that he not apply for new travel documents or passport and have no contact with the injured party or witnesses. Legal aid was also granted plus one junior and one senior counsel
