Man to appear in court facing 106 charges, including rape

A MAN arrested and subsequently charged with over 100 offences including rape is to appear before today’s sitting of Castlebar District Court.
The man in his 40s, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested at his home last Tuesday evening and brought before last Wednesday’s sitting of Belmullet District court.
Sergeant Dermot Butler explained to the court that the defendant was charged in relation to 106 offences and made no comment in reply to each of the charges when they were read over to him.
Inspector Tom Calvey told Judge Conal Gibbons that a file was submitted to the DPP who directed trial on indictment. Mr Brendan Donnelly, solicitor for the defendant, said his client was applying for bail but Insp Calvey said they were objecting to bail on grounds the defendant was considered a flight risk.
Outlining the grounds for objecting to bail, Sgt Butler said the defendant was a UK citizen and had no relationship to the area he was living in.
However, Mr Donnelly said his client was living in a house he built and was willing to surrender his passport and sign on daily.
Mr Donnelly said his client was first questioned in relation to the alleged offences three years ago and at no time attempted to flee the jurisdiction.
The defendant’s partner offered to act as independent surety but this was denied by Judge Gibbons on the grounds the money was borrowed.
The defendant gave an undertaking under oath to surrender his passport and was willing to abide by any conditions the court may hand down.
However, Judge Gibbons refused bail and explained that while the accused came before the court as innocent, he had to take into consideration the gravity of the offences before the court and the number of them.
The defendant was remanded in custody to appear before today’s sitting of Castlebar District Court for the preparation of the book of evidence.
Judge Gibbons assigned legal aid to Mr Donnelly.