*Photograph: John Mangan
A 20-year old East Clare man charged in connection with the rape, false imprisonment, sexual assault and non-fatal strangulation of a female in July 2024 has been returned for trial to the Central Criminal Court.
At Ennis District Court, the man appeared in connection with nine charges including four counts of rape against the female at his home on a date between July 19th/20th 2024.
In court today, a Book of Evidence was served and Judge Alec Gabbett sent the accused forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court on continuing bail.
In the case, the man is charged with four counts rape of the female, including one count in the living room and a second count in the bathroom of his home address on a date between July 19th/July 20th 2024.
The man is also charged with the false imprisonment of the female in the bathroom of the home contrary to Section 15 of the Non Fatal Offences Against The Person Act 1997 on a date between July 19th/20th 2024.
The man is also charged with two counts of subjecting the female to non-fatal strangulation or non-fatal suffocation in the bathroom and living room of the home contrary to Section 3A of the Non Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997.
The man is also charged with the sexual assault of the female in the living room and bathroom of the home on July 19th/20th 2024.
In January, the man spent a week and a half on remand in custody in prison before securing bail.
Judge Gabbett told the accused that if an alibi formed any part of his defence his solicitor, Shíofra Hassett was to inform the State within 14 days in writing.
Judge Gabbett extended the legal aid certificate for a senior and junior counsel to represent the accused in the Central Criminal Court.
Judge Gabbett told the accused that he was transferring the case to the Central Criminal Court “likely in Limerick and Ms Hassset will advise you of the date”.
Judge Gabbett told the accused that there is a lot of risk concerning money handed in as part of his bail terms if he doesn’t show up for trial.
As part of the man’s bail conditions, he has already surrounded his passport, provided his own bond of €500 and his father has provided an independent surety of €5,000.
The man is to also have no contact with a number of persons and Judge Gabbett asked ‘are you aware of all those terms?” and in reply the accused said ‘yes’.
The man who was first brought before a vacation court sitting on December 30th concerning the charges must also sign on three days a week at his local Garda station.
