Book of evidence served on boy accused of rape

A teenager accused of raping a six-year-old boy was served with a book of evidence today and returned for trial to the Central Criminal Court.

The 15-year-old boy had been originally charged in October at the Dublin Children's Court with two counts of rape, which allegedly occurred on a date last year. The defendant, who was aged 14 at the time, is related to the complainant, the court had also heard.

Today, the boy was served with a book of evidence before Judge Bryan Smyth ordered that he was to be sent forward for trial at the present term of the Central Criminal Court.

The Children's Court judge also explained to the boy the meaning of the word alibi, and then notified him that if he intended to rely on one in his defence, he must notify the prosecution within 14 days.

The teenager spoke briefly to confirm that he understood this and his bail terms.

He was accompanied to the proceedings today by care staff and his court-appointed guardian; no family members were present.

When initially charged in October, Detective Garda Padraig Jennings had told the Children's Court that the teenager, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, “made no reply” to caution.

Det-Gda Jennings had also said then that “this is a family matter” when he asked for bail conditions to be imposed.

The bail terms, which are still in force, say the teenager must have “no contact directly or indirectly” with the complainant or his family, and he must stay away from the location where the incidents allegedly occurred.

Judge Smyth told the teenage boy that he risked being held in custody pending his trial if he broke these conditions.

Due the nature of the allegations, the defence could not plead for the case to be kept in the jurisdiction of the juvenile court. So far, the boy has given no indication of how he intends to plead to the charges.

Legal aid has been granted.