Bench warrant issued for arrest of man, 64, accused of rape 30 years ago after he failed to appear in court

Defendant also faces five sexual assault charges from around this time in relation to the same complainant

No evidence was given on the background to the case, but the alleged rape on a male person refers to an unspecified date between 1994 and 1997. Picture: Larry Cummins

A bench warrant was issued on Monday for the arrest of a 64-year-old man accused of rape about 30 years ago when he failed to appear at the Central Criminal Court.

No evidence was given on the background to the case, but the alleged rape on a male person refers to an unspecified date between 1994 and 1997. The same defendant, who is now aged 64, also faces five sexual assault charges from around this time in relation to the same complainant.

The matter was in the list for a call-over at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork for trial dates to be given to several cases.

Prosecution senior counsel Tom Creed said the defendant, who is on bail, was not present in court, where he was represented by Ray Boland, defence senior counsel.

Ms Justice Eileen Creed issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the defendant, on the application of the prosecution.