A 25-year-old man accused of raping a girl and making child sex abuse images, as well as demanding money from her with menaces, was arrested and brought before Cork District Court on Friday.<\/p>\n
Detective Garda Enda Dowling objected to bail being granted to the accused, expressing the concern that he would be a flight risk if released on bail.<\/p>\n
Judge Mary Dorgan heard evidence in the bail application made by barrister Elaine Audley and refused bail, remanding the accused in custody until October 15.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ms Audley said the main complainant in the case did not reside in County Cork and that the defendant could give an undertaking to remain in Cork if given bail.<\/p>\n
Sergeant Gear\u00f3id Davis said the Director of Public Prosecutions directed that the case would be sent to the Central Criminal Court for trial.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Alternatively, the defendant could sign a plea of guilty at the district court and be sent forward for sentencing at the Central Criminal Court.<\/p>\n
Two counts of rape relate to January 5, 2024, and in respect of the same date there is a charge against him of knowingly producing child pornography for the purpose of distribution, publication, exportation, sale or show.<\/p>\n
There is a related charge of coercing a child to participate in the production of child pornography.<\/p>\n
A further charge alleges that on dates between December 30, 2023, and January 5, 2024, he allegedly made a demand with menaces for the payment of \u20ac12,000.<\/p>\n
Det. Garda Dowling testified in the course of his objection to bail: \u201cHe led her to believe she was responsible for a \u20ac12,000 drug debt because she was the only person who knew about the drugs. Garda\u00ed are satisfied that this drug seizure never happened.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the course of his evidence, he said there was a video, which appeared to be taken by the accused, as the child engaged with him in oral sex and the video suggested she was acting under his instructions.<\/p>\n
There are further charges against him in relation to theft of various sums of money ranging from \u20ac32 to \u20ac500 and of jewellery, including a \u20ac6,500 diamond ring.<\/p>\n