Man (62) faces trial on charge of causing 'serious harm' to woman at Athlone church

A 62-year-old man has been sent forward for trial to Mullingar Circuit Court after being charged in connection with an alleged serious assault on a woman in her 30s at a church in Athlone last year.

At Athlone District Court this week, Sean Bailey, of Hyde Court, Roscommon, was served with a book of evidence in the case.

Mr Bailey is charged with "intentionally or recklessly" causing "serious harm" to his alleged female victim at Corpus Christi Church, Connaught Gardens, Athlone, on September 12 last.

The section 4 charge carries a maximum potential sentence, if convicted, of life in prison.

At a brief district court hearing before Judge Vincent Deane, Garda Sean Bohan gave evidence of having served the book of evidence on the defendant.

Sergeant Sandra Keane informed the court that directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had been received, and that the prosecution was seeking the accused to be sent forward to stand trial at next month's sittings of Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge Deane gave Mr Bailey the so-called 'alibi warning', telling him that if he intends to rely on an alibi in the case he must provide details of it to the prosecution within 14 days.

The defendant's solicitor, Mark Cooney, applied for free legal aid on behalf of his client, to cover both a senior and junior counsel, and the judge approved this application.

Mr Bailey was then remanded on continuing bail to appear before Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday, July 2.