A 35-year old Asian man charged with the rape of a female at a local authority operated leisure centre in Ennis has been sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court.
At Ennis District Court, the man – who can’t be identified for legal reasons – is charged with the single count of rape of a female at the Active Ennis Leisure Centre at Sandfield Rd, Ennis on August 13th 2022, contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990.
The Active Ennis Leisure Centre is owned and operated by Clare Co Council and consists of a swimming pool and gym and is used by thousands of people every month.
In court today, Garda Emmet Roche gave evidence of serving the Book of Evidence being served on solicitor, Daragh Hassett for the accused.
Judge Alec Gabbett told the accused through an interpreter that if an alibi formed part of his defence his solicitor, Mr Hassett was to inform the State in writing within 14 days.
Judge Gabbett sent him forward for trial on bail to appear before the next sessions of the Central Criminal Court.
Judge Gabbett said that this could be Limerick or Dublin. Judge Gabbett granted legal aid to the accused for Mr Hassett and a senior counsel and junior counsel to represent him at the Central Criminal Court.
At the accused man’s first court appearance in June, Det Garda Conor Flaherty of the Clare Garda Division Protective Services Unit (PSU) gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.
He said that he met the accused before court by arrangement at Glentworth Street, Limerick and charged him with the single count.
He said that the accused made no reply after charge.
The man’s address on the charge sheet is an address used by the State to accommodate International Protection (IP) applicants in Limerick.
Solicitor, Daragh Hassett for the accused, previously told the court that his client now lives and works in Co Cork.
Mr Hassett said that bail conditions have been agreed and they include that the accused stay out of Ennis and have no contact with the alleged injured party.
Det Garda Flaherty said that the accused has also agreed to surrender his passport to a Co Cork Garda station.
