Man due to face trial on 22 sex offence charges

A man has been sent forward to the Central Criminal Court, to face trial for 22 alleged sex offence charges against two male victims in Westmeath in the late 80s and early 90s.

A book of evidence was served on the man, who cannot be named due to the nature of the charges, before Judge Bernadette Owens at Athlone District Court last week.

The defendant is charged with indecent assault of one male victim in December 1989 contrary to Common Law. Similar charges relate to dates in January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November and December 1990, and between January 1 and January 17, 1991. He faces further charges of sexual assault on the same injured party on a dates unknown between January 18 and January 31, 1991, under section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Ammendment) Act 1990 as ammended by section 37 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001.

Similar charges also relate to dates in February, March, April, May and June 1991, with allegations of sexual assault of the same male child.

On a date unknown between September 1 and September 30, 1991, he is charged with attempting to sexually assault the same male child in circumstances which included attempted penetration of the child’s anus with his penis.

Three more charges against the accused relate to a second alleged male victim. On dates unknown between September 1, 1989, and January 18, 1991, he faces two counts of indecent assault, as well as one count of committing an act of gross indecency with the same alleged victim.

The accused man has been on bail since March 11 of this year, on his own bond of €1,500. Judge Owens gave him an alibi warning and granted legal aid for his solicitor and two counsel.

He was sent forward to the next sittings of the Central Criminal Court.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme