West Cork man accused of grooming and sexually assaulting seven boys at fast food outlet

Gardaí allege that on a weekly basis the accused was making a lengthy journey to Cork City every Saturday to meet the boys

The judge refused bail for the accused who was remanded in custody until February 3. File picture: Larry Cummins

Families were groomed to trust a 45-year-old man from West Cork to bring their young sons swimming, on cinema visits and to fast food restaurants, it was claimed by a detective on Tuesday as the man was charged with sexually assaulting seven boys.

Detective Garda Paul Cogan said the boys were aged between seven and 12 when they were allegedly sexually assaulted on Saturday afternoon visits to a busy fast food restaurant in Cork City on occasions in August and September 2023. The accused was charged with a total of eight counts of sexual assault in respect of seven boys.