Man appears before Wicklow court over alleged sexual assaults at caravan park
The Wicklow PeopleA man has appeared in court charged with two counts of sexual assault involving alleged offences dating back more than 20 years.
The man, who lives in the US and cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Bray District Court charged with two counts of sexual assault.
The charges are contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990, as amended by Section 37 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment if convicted.
It is alleged that, on dates in 2003, the defendant sexually assaulted the complainant at a caravan park in Wicklow by placing her hand on his penis.
He is also accused of stroking and squeezing her breasts, rubbing his finger between her legs and rubbing her buttocks.
Detective Garda Darragh McEvoy, attached to the Divisional Protective Services Unit based in Wicklow town, informed the court that he met the accused by appointment for the purpose of charge, as the accused is a US resident.
He said gardaí had no objection to bail on condition that the defendant remain contactable by telephone, have no contact with any witnesses and undertake to return for any trial or court hearing.
Solicitor for the defence asked Judge David Kennedy if his client could be excused from the next sitting and the book of evidence collected by his legal team.
Judge Kennedy granted the defence’s request, with the book of evidence due to be ready on November 26.