Gardaí object to bail in Cork rape case

Gardaí objected to an Eastern European man’s bail application today after he was charged with raping a young woman in Cork city.

Detective Sergeant Derek Mulcahy said gardaí were opposed to bail because of the seriousness of the charge and the defendant’s lack of ties or permanent residence in Ireland.

“I believe if given bail he would fail to appear in court for the case,” Det. Sgt. Mulcahy said.

Defence solicitor, Pat Hurley, said gardaí had first contacted the accused man by phone on June 30 2010 and that he met them by appointment and was questioned extensively about the alleged offence.

Mr Hurley said that since that time the defendant would have been free to leave Ireland but remained here throughout that period. The solicitor said the defendant remained even though he knew the charge was “coming down the tracks”.

Inspector Pat Meaney submitted that it was now a different matter as the defendant had been charged with the offence.

Judge David Riordan remanded the 23-year-old in custody with consent to his own bail of €5,000 and a cash lodgment of €2,000.

If he raises the cash bail he must sign in daily at the Bridewell garda station, surrender his travel identification and reside at a given address in Cork city.

The last condition is that he must not approach, directly or indirectly, the alleged injured party, who is a woman in her twenties.

The defendant who cannot be identified is accused of raping the woman in Cork city on December 19, 2009. The case was put back for a week for preparation and service of a book of evidence. It is anticipated that the case will be sent forward for trial at the Central Criminal Court.

An interpreter was in court for the in camera hearing.