Prison protection for rape accused

A homeless man will be given protection in prison after being charged with the rape of two young girls who were lured away from a children’s birthday party.

The 30-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was brought before Longford District Court where he faced four counts of rape — two allegations against each of the children.

Security was tight inside and outside the building, with members of the armed support unit in the courtroom. A group of about 50 people shouted abuse at the man as he was driven away in a Garda van.

Judge Seamus Hughes remanded the accused in custody until Friday, when he will appear before Harristown District Court.

Noting “some marks” on the 30-year-old, the judge ordered he be put on suicide watch and afforded “all possible protections”.

The judge said at the end of the eight-minute hearing: “I know it’s a rather unusual thing to state, but we are all living in the real world.”

The suspect, who is originally from Co Galway, was charged at Athlone Garda Station on Monday night.

Sergeant Yvette McCormack told the court the accused made no reply to each of the four charges.

The man, who had a scrape next to his left eye and a tattoo on the right-hand side of his neck, was flanked by gardaí as he entered the packed court.

Defence solicitor Gearóid Geraghty made an application for a psychiatric evaluation on his client and requested he be kept on suicide watch.

“I have a concern about his ability to enter a plea in respect of this and want a psychiatric assessment,” he told the judge, who had asked for a reason.

The solicitor also said his client, who is of no fixed abode, was unemployed and applied for legal aid, which was granted.

Judge Hughes reminded the media of their duty in the case of both the defendant and the alleged victims.

Supt Noreen McBride, of Athlone Garda Station, told the judge some comment in the media had come to her attention that could “be unhelpful” in the progression of the trial.

The judge warned the media to have a duty of care in preserving the anonymity of the accused and both complainants.

“I well understand the heightened emotions of the case, as have been publicised in the media in the last 24 hours,” said the judge. “But I have every confidence the public will assist gardaí in their work and allow the legal process to take its course.”