Mayo man charged with 358 counts of indecent assault

Edwin McGreal

A Mayo man has been charged with 358 counts of indecent assault stretching back to the 1960s. The accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before a district court in the county today (Thursday).
The charges relate to dates in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. The accused is 78 years old and there are four complainants, the court was told.
In court today Sergeant Brian Murphy gave evidence before Judge Fiona Lydon. Sgt Murphy said he arrested the man at his residence yesterday (Wednesday) at 12.45pm before conveying him to Castlebar Garda Station.
There, from 2.40pm to 8.14pm, each of the charges were read out to the accused. He was cautioned after each charge and made no reply to any of the charges.
Sgt Murphy said the DPP’s directions were for trial on indictment. The accused was remanded on bail to appear before the same district court for the service of a book of evidence on January 9.
His bail conditions include signing on once a week at his local garda station, surrendering his passport, no contact with any of the four complainants and €1,000 in cash. All conditions were agreed to.
Defending solicitor Tom Walsh said his client is a pensioner who owns his own home and eight acres of land. An application for legal aid was deferred.