Man charged with rape appears at Athy court
Athy courthouse
A MAN who allegedly raped his ex-partner, threatened to kill her and held a knife to her throat, will have to return to court next month for his Book of Evidence and date for a trial in the Central Criminal Court.
Athy District Court heard that on dates between 19 October and 14 December, 2024, the defendant – who can’t yet be named – allegedly committed a total of 14 offences, all the one address in south Kildare.
He is also charged with possession of knives, a number of public order offences, as well as criminal damage to a door and mirror at said address.
“There is just one victim,” confirmed Sergeant Dave Hanrahan, “they had been in a relationship”.
“My client is denying all this,” declared defending solicitor Tim Kennelly.
“This must be serious if the DPP has directed this go to the Circuit Court,” noted Judge Desmond Zaidan.
“It’s going to the Central Criminal Court,” clarified the sergeant, indicating the seriousness with which the state was taking this case.
The judge then remanded the defendant on continuing bail, subject to the strict conditions as laid out at an earlier hearing, until 22 July for his book of evidence and trial date.
