Man allegedly grabbed woman’s bum in Laois shop
The man appeared before Portlaoise District Court
A man appeared in court accused of grabbing a woman’s backside in a shop in Laois.
The man, aged 65, is accused of sexual assault at a shop in Laois on September 23 last year.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the woman made a complaint to gardaí on October 5, 2023.
He outlined the events as alleged by the woman.
“This gent slapped her across her bum. He then grabbed her buttocks in the middle,” he said the woman had told gardaí.
Sgt Kirby said the man was alleged to have grabbed the woman “right underneath” and in doing so “made contact” with her vagina.
He said the DPP had directed summary disposal meaning the case could remain in the district court.
On hearing the alleged facts, Judge Nicola Andrews accepted jurisdiction in the case.
She asked the defendant if he was working. On hearing that he wasn’t, she assigned Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald to the case on legal aid.
Sgt Kirby asked that the man have “no contact with the alleged injured party” as part of his bail conditions and he requested reporting restrictions.
Judge Andrews approved the bail conditions and imposed reporting restrictions meaning neither the accused or the alleged injured party can be identified.
She adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on April 8.