‘Doubt over veracity’ of woman’s sex attack claims

A 32-year-old woman who failed to turn up in court on more than 50 occasions was looking for bail yesterday in unusual circumstances where it was claimed she needed to pursue a complaint about a serious sexual attack on her during the week.

While the woman was before a general sitting of Cork District Court, where there was an application to remand her in custody, the court had to be cleared of all those not directly connected with her case because of the sexual allegations.

Diarmuid Kelleher, solicitor, said it was alleged that the defendant before the court had been the victim of a serious sexual assault on October 6.

Mr Kelleher was anxious that the woman would not be remanded in custody so that she could pursue her complaint with gardaí and attend a sexual assault unit.

There was evidence before Cork District Court yesterday that the woman attended the Mercy University Hospital on Tuesday and made certain allegations. However, it also appeared she had left the hospital before receiving medical attention.

The woman told Inspector Eileen Foster at Cork District Court yesterday that she had consumed alcohol on the night and had intended to make a complaint at the Mercy. Mr Kelleher said he had only been informed of the allegation by a family member of the defendant shortly before the court and the defendant herself did not want to say much about it.

Judge Leo Malone said: “While she did go to hospital, she seems to have left without going through the process. There is a doubt as to the veracity.”

He said he was refusing bail on the basis of the large number of previous convictions. He remanded her in custody until Monday. However, he directed she would receive all the necessary medical attention in custody.