A 30-year old family guest entered the bedroom of a 12 year old girl in the early hours of Christmas morning and sexually assaulted her, it has been alleged in court.
According to Det Garda Conor Flaherty, the accused allegedly entered the child’s bedroom in the early hours of December 25th 2018 after making contact with the child via TikTok.
At Ennis District Court, Det Flaherty said that the accused denies the single charge of sexual assault.
Det Flaherty provided details in the case when successfully opposing an application for bail for the man who is a non Irish national and not living in Clare.
Det Flaherty said that the man was staying with the family at a location in Co Clare over Christmas 2018 and on December 24th 2018 added the 12 year old girl to his Tik-Tok.
Det Flaherty said that in the early hours of Christmas Day, he texted the girl and it will be alleged that he asked the girl if he could go into her bedroom and she said no to him.
Det Flaherty said that the man entered her room and got into the girl’s bed which she was sharing with her younger brother.
Det Flaherty stated that it will be alleged that the accused sexually assaulted the child and that the assault lasted for around 20 to 25 minutes.
The detective stated that it will be further alleged the girl texted her mother and told her that the accused was in her room and when the mother saw the text messages “she kicked the man out of her house”.
Det Flaherty stated that Gardai obtained documentation from Tik Tok, which he said, supports the claims concerning the TikTok messages received from the accused.
Det Flaherty stated that the complainant in the case disclosed the alleged assault to her school chaplain and Gardai have a copy of a report from the school chaplain.
Det Flaherty stated that in interview, the accused denied the sexual assault and stated that the complainant had texted him in relation to horses.
Det Flaherty stated that Gardai were opposing bail for the man as he is considered a flight risk. Det Flaherty said that the girl disclosed her complaint of sexual assault to Garda specialist interviewers in October 2020.
Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Det Flaherty stated that the accused made no reply after caution.
Solicitor for the accused, Darragh Hassett stated that his client denies everything “and gave an explanation for contact which related to horses”.
Mr Hassett stated that his client is to contest the charge, and seeking bail, said that it is likely the case won’t go to trial for 12 months.
Mr Hassett said that his client has no previous convictions, no history of bench warrants and is willing to surrender his passport.
However, Judge Colm Roberts refused bail stating that “there is a serious potential for the man being a flight risk in circumstances where he has lawful right to be here”.
Det Flaherty earlier told the court that the man’s right to stay in Ireland expired in July 2020.
Judge Roberts stated that the man has no connections to this county.
He said that the alleged offence “is very, very serious” and “I have no option but to refuse bail”.
Judge Roberts remanded the accused in custody to appear via video link at Ennis District Court on May 4th.
