Kildare man charged with sexual assault of neighbour
Naas Courthouse
A MAN accused of sexual assaulting his then neighbour at an address in Newbridge was sent forward for trial at the next sitting of Naas Circuit Court.
The man, who can’t be named at this stage to protect the identity of the injured party, attended Naas District Court this week for the formal receiving of his book of evidence – the collection of documents and statements outlining the state’s case against him.
In it he is alleged to have assaulted the woman in her 20s on the 6 July 2023 at his apartment in the town.
It is alleged that she had fallen asleep, that he had opened her jacket, and when she woke up “he had one of her breasts in his mouth, with the other one exposed”.
“For the record, my client willy fully contest this,” said defending solicitor Brian Larkin.
“Absolutely,” said Judge Desmond Zaidan. “He is fully entitled to his presumption of innocence."
The judge then gave the formal alibi warning given to all being sent forward for trial to the circuit court – that is, if the defendant is relying on an alibi, he must inform the State within two weeks of said warning being given.
The judge then turned to the prosecuting officer Sergeant Dave Hanrahan, and asked: “a sexual assault of this kind, and there’s no reporting restrictions?”
“At the time they were neighbours,” said Sgt Hanrahan.
“Then I’ll err on the side of caution, and issue restrictions, in case maybe some of the other neighbours could recognise her from this,” he said, before sending him for trial at the next sittings, which commence on 13 January.
