Man charged with rape at Kildare cemetery
Mainham Cemetery in Clane,
A MAN who allegedly raped a woman in a cemetery car park has been sent forward for trial to the present sittings of the Central Courts of Justice, which began on 4 March.
The man, aged in his 20s with an address in Co Dublin, is charged with two counts of rape and one of sexual assault.
The offences are alleged to have occurred in a Qashqai SUV in the car park of Mainham Cemetry, Clane on the evening of 9 April 2023.
“And he’s not in custody?” said a somewhat incredulous Judge Desmond Zaidan.
“And there was consent to bail?” he also asked.
Barrister Mark Gibbons began his defence by telling the court that although his client was originally from Somalia, he did not require a translator.
“The defendant met with the injured party on the evening of 9 April 2023 by consent,” said Sergeant Dave Hanrahan, for the state.
“It is alleged he drove her to Mainham Cemetery outside Clane and raped her twice,” said Sgt Hanrahan.
“There had been some consent earlier, some kissing and touching,” acknowledged the sergeant.
“But she didn’t consent to more than that?” asked the judge.
“No, judge,” confirmed Sgt Hanrahan.
Once the book of evidence was formally handed over to Mr Gibbons, the judge gave the defendant the alibi warning.
This means that if the defendant intends to use an alibi in his defence, he just has a fortnight in which he must notify the state.
The judge also consented to legal aid for a solicitor, as well as a senior and junior barrister for his circuit court trial.
The judge allowed for reporting the defendant’s details, but not to mention the injured party.
