Kerry student charged with five sexual offences on same day against child, 15, to face trial

The accused was remanded on continuing bail to appear before the next sitting of Cork Circuit Criminal Court commencing on October 29. File picture: Larry Cummins

A young man from County Kerry is to be sent forward to the next sittings of Cork Circuit Criminal Court to face trial by indictment on five charges under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 relating to a child under the age of 15.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at a recent sitting of Macroom District Court where Judge Joanne Carroll was told the book of evidence in the case had been served on the accused.

The court heard that the accused faces five charges under the act relating to an alleged victim who was a child under the age of 15 at the time of the alleged offences. The five offences are all alleged to have taken place on the same date in January 2025 at the same location in West Cork.

Judge Carroll warned the accused man that if he intends to use an alibi as part of his defence he must notify the prosecution in writing within 14 days.

Defence solicitor Eimear Griffin asked the court to vary the accused’s bail conditions so that he would only be required to sign on at a garda station once a week on Saturdays to facilitate his college work as a full-time student, which was agreed.

Judge Carroll also made an order under Section 56 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 instructing the prosecution to furnish the defence with copies of any recorded interviews that were carried out with the suspect.

The accused was remanded on continuing bail to appear before the next sitting of Cork Circuit Criminal Court commencing on October 29. He was also instructed to have no contact with the alleged injured party or their family, not to apply for any travel documents and to be contactable by mobile phone at all times.

Legal aid was also granted to include one barrister and one senior counsel.

This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme