Man charged with rape of woman in Athlone

A man has appeared in court after being charged with the rape of a woman in Athlone earlier this year.

The man in his 20s, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared before Judge Deirdre Gearty at Wednesday's sitting of Athlone District Court.

The defendant, an asylum seeker, was charged with the alleged rape of a woman at Ballymahon Road, Athlone, on a date between February 16 and February 17, 2025.

During the brief proceedings yesterday, Detective Garda David Mead gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.

He told the court the accused had been arrested in Dublin that morning, and was then brought to Athlone Garda Station.

Detective Garda Mead said the man made no reply when the single rape charge was formally put to him just after 11am.

Detective Garda Mead said Gardai would be applying to have the man remanded in custody.

The defendant's solicitor told Judge Gearty that no bail application would be made on his behalf at this stage, and that he was consenting to a seven-day remand in custody.

The court heard directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) were for the man to be sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court.

Free legal aid was granted to the accused, with Judge Gearty directing the State be given 48 hours' advance notice of any planned bail application on his behalf.

The accused was then remanded in custody for a week to appear, via video link, before the next sitting of Athlone District Court on Wednesday, June 11.