A 77-year-old man was arrested at his home in Cork on Tuesday and charged with sexually assaulting a four-old girl five times in 2022.
Sergeant Sheena Dowling arrested the man and brought him to the Bridewell Garda Station, where he was charged with the five counts of sexual assault related to a period between January and May 2022 at his home.
Informed he did not have to say anything but whatever he might say would be taken down in writing and could be given in evidence, he replied: “I will wait to see my brief.”
Because of the circumstances of the case, there is a prohibition on identification of the parties to it, Judge Philip O’Leary said at Cork District Court.
Inspector Ray Dunne said the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed trial by indictment at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, and also consented to a plea of guilty being entered at the district court for sentencing at the circuit court.
Solicitor Frank Buttimer said a book of evidence would be required. Judge O’Leary adjourned the case until September 10 for service of the book.
Sgt Dowling said there was no objection to bail being granted to the accused on conditions. Mr Buttimer said the defence agreed to the bail terms.
Those conditions require him to have no contact directly or indirectly with the injured party and any of the witnesses in the case, reside at his home address and notify gardaí immediately of any change of address, sign every day at his local Garda station, provide a contact number and be contactable by gardaí at all times, and surrender his passport and travel documents and not apply for replacements.