Student charged with stalking and harassing female politician

Taimoor Abid on his way into Galway District Court on Friday morning. Picture: Media West

A student has appeared in court in Galway charged with stalking and harassing a female public representative in the west of the country.

Taimoor Abid, of 26 Caiseal Ur, Bothar Stiofan, Knocknacarra, Galway, was remanded on bail by Judge Gerard Furlong to appear again before Galway District Court on July 22.

Mr Abid, who is 22, is charged under Section 10 (2) of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 as amended by Section 23 of the Criminal Justice Act 2023.

Mr Abid is charged that on a date between April 6 and 7 this year at a hotel in the west of the country that he "intentionally or recklessly caused the person serious harm or distress that had a substantial adverse impact of her usual day-to-day activities" and that the person would fear that violence would be used against her or another person connected to her.

The court heard the charge carries a sentence of up to 10 years in jail on conviction.

Detective Garda Mark Kelly gave evidence of arresting Mr Abid on Thursday evening and told Judge Furlong the defendant made no response to the charge.

The alleged victim cannot be named or identified at this point due to legal restrictions.

Mr Abid, a third-year student at University of Galway, did not speak during the 15-minute special sitting of Galway District Court other than to confirm his identity.

Judge Furlong imposed a number of bail conditions including that the defendant has no contact with the alleged victim, including on social media.

He imposed a curfew that the defendant resides in his home between 10pm and 7am each day and that he signs on at Salthill Garda Station three times a week.

Judge Furlong also ordered Mr Abid to surrender his passport and he refused an application from defence solicitor Ms Cathy McDarby that the passport be temporarily returned so Mr Abid could go on a pre-booked holiday with his mother to Kuwait.

Detective Garda Kelly objected to the application for the temporary return of the passport due to the seriousness of the charge and said the defendant posed a flight risk.

Judge Furlong, who granted the defendant free legal aid, remanded Mr Abid on bail to appear before Galway District Court on July 22.