Man charged with two counts of rape in Mayo town

A MAN has been charged with two counts of rape and attempted strangulation of a woman in a Mayo town in 2023 and 2024.

The 34-year-old man who canned be named due to reporting restrictions appeared before a sitting of Castlebar District Court charged with two counts of rape and one count of attempting to strangle a woman.

Detective Garda Róisín Loftus told Judge Vincent Deane that she arrested the defendant at the Mall in Castlebar before the court at 9.40am. She said he made no reply when charged with each of the offences.

The man is accused of the rape of a woman at an address in Castlebar on January 28, 2024 and at a separate address in Castlebar on January 2, 2024. He is also charged with attempting to strangle the same woman at a Castlebar address on November 12, 2023.

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Det Garda Loftus said that the DPP had directed trial on indictment in the Central Criminal Court and it was indicated to Judge Deane that there was consent to a signed plea.

Judge Deane was also informed that there was no objection to the defendant being released on bail subject to conditions which included surrendering his passport.

Mr Gary Mulchrone, solicitor for the defendant said his client was working but given the nature of the charges he was applying for legal aid which Judge Deane granted after no objection was raised by An Garda Siochána.

Judge Deane remanded the defendant on bail to appear before Castlebar District Court on July 25 for service of the book of evidence.