A Donegal man will stand trial at the Central Criminal Court on 75 sex-related charges.

The man, who is in his 60s and cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Letterkenny District Court.

A book of evidence was served on the man and an order was made returning him for trial.

Garda Pauline Doherty gave evidence of serving the defendant with a book of evidence on Monday morning.

Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has consented for the accused to be sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court on all 75 charges.

The charges relate to three alleged victims and range from dates in 1991 to 2004.

They include 13 sample counts of rape contrary to section 47 of the Offences Against the person act, and section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) Act 1981.

He is also facing 58 sample counts of sexual assault, contrary to section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) as amended by section 37 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001.

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The man has also been charged with two counts of attempted section 4 rape; one count of rape contrary to section 4 of the Criminal Law (Rape); and one count of attempted rape.

Judge Emile Daly returned the man for trial, administered the alibi warning and made a section 56 order, relating to recordings of interviews.

Bail has been granted on conditions that he: surrenders his passport; signs on daily at a Garda station in Donegal; have no contact, either directly or indirectly, with any witnesses in the case; reside at an address given to An Garda Siochana; and that he be contactable by mobile phone 24/7.

Legal aid was granted to his solicitor, Mr Patsy Gallagher, and two counsel were assigned in the case.

A previous court sitting heard that Gardaí were unable to locate the man after he left Ireland several years ago – weeks after the matter was reported to the authorities.

The man has been the subject of the Sex Offenders’ Register, but he was not in compliance with his obligations.

Detectives became aware of his return to Donegal when he turned up at a Garda station seeking clarification as to whether or not he was still bound by the Sex Offenders’ Register.