Court bars sex abuse accused from contacting girl online

A man who appeared in court yesterday charged with 21 counts of sexual assault on a girl has been ordered not to contact the alleged victim — including contact through social media websites Facebook and Bebo.

The court was told the man, who cannot be named, made no reply after he was arrested and charged by gardaí yesterday.

The offences allegedly occurred on dates between 2002 and 2007, when the girl was aged between seven and 12.

Garda Ger Breen, of Limerick’s Henry St Garda Station, said he arrested the accused at 7.03am before taking him to the station.

At Limerick District Court, Judge Eamon O’Brien granted the man free legal aid, and a solicitor was appointed to represent the accused.

Sgt Michelle Lynch said the State was not objecting to bail, provided the court imposed a number of strict conditions.

Judge O’Brien ordered that the accused sign on three times a week between 9am and 9pm, and that he inform gardaí of any change to his address.

The judge also ordered the man not to interfere with any witnesses in the case or make contact with witnesses via social media websites, including Facebook and Bebo.

Sgt Leahy said that “directions have been obtained that the accused be sent forward for trial” but that gardaí were waiting for the book of evidence.

Judge O’Brien granted an application by the man’s solicitor that the accused could not be photographed or named by the media.

“There’s children involved so, I’ll grant your application,” said Judge O’Brien.

The man was remanded on bail to appear before Limerick District Court again on May 9 for service of the State’s book of evidence.